Three
rRT-PCR assays for routine detection of MERS-CoV have been developed and their details published. Currently described tests are an assay targeting upstream of the E protein gene (upE), and assays targeting the open reading frame 1b (ORF 1b) and the open reading frame 1a (ORF 1a). The assay for the upE target is considered highly sensitive and is recommended for screening, with the ORF 1a assay considered of equal sensitivity. The ORF 1b assay is considered less sensitive than the ORF 1a assay. References 4 and 5 contain detailed descriptions for performing these assays.
In addition, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has developed rRT-PCR assays targeting the MERS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein gene, which can complement upE and ORF 1a assays for screening and confirmation.
What should healthcare providers and health departments do?What should I do if I feel I am infected with Middle East respiratory disease?
The Last Update from WHO advice for respiratory disease infected people upon May, 2014:
1- Health-care facilities that provide for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus from an infected patient to other patients.
2- It is not always possible to identify patients with MERS-CoV early because some have mild or unusual symptoms. For this reason, it is important that health-care workers apply standard precautions consistently with all patients – regardless of their diagnosis – in all work practices all the time.
3- All patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection must have contact precautions and eye protection should be added when caring for probable or confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection. Airborne precautions should be applied when performing aerosol generating procedures.
4- Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.
5- All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new cases.
6- People at high risk of severe disease due to MERS-CoV should avoid close contact with animals when visiting farms or barn areas where the virus is known to be potentially circulating. For the general public, when visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals, and following food hygiene practices, should be adhered to.
Conclusion: Respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung illnesses caused by viral infection and many of them have the same symptoms