Coming to a Theater Near You: MERS in the US

[Sensei]

The CDC is about to announce the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the US. It is a SARS-like illness cause by a coronavirus. Fortunately, it is thought to spread by droplet / close contact, and widespread community outbreaks have not been seen - yet. However, the case fatality rate is 50% which makes this little guy a nasty player.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Thanks for the heads up doc, I heard a blurb on the radio yesterday that WHO is releasing a warning to governments and health organizations about antibiotic superbugs spreading worldwide and calling for a new age of medications.


I remember reading about the coronavirus fatalities in Saudi Arabia, since the age of jet travel its only a matter of time before a bug hop skips across the water.

[chuckman]

This news is spreading like wildfire at Mr. Duke's House of Pain and Healing in Durham.

[montanadave]

I remember reading about the coronavirus fatalities in Saudi Arabia, since the age of jet travel its only a matter of time before a bug hop skips across the water.

And where did the guy with MERS in Indiana come from? He just flew back from his job overseas as a health care worker in Saudi Arabia.

[yellowfin]

When I saw the thread title I thought it was referring to the guy from Advanced Armament.

[Sensei]

And where did the guy with MERS in Indiana come from? He just flew back from his job overseas as a health care worker in Saudi Arabia.

Yeah, this really reminds me of the movie "Contagion"

[chuckman]

Yeah, this really reminds me of the movie "Contagion"

It is how this stuff starts, though. Fore reals as in SARS a few years back, and in the movies.

[platoonDaddy]

And where did the guy with MERS in Indiana come from? He just flew back from his job overseas as a health care worker in Saudi Arabia.

What I found interesting was the following: The virus is not highly contagious and this case "represents a very low risk to the broader, general public," Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters during a CDC briefing. Thought it was contagious, if not how did he get it?




http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/0...cmp=latestnews

[montanadave]

What I found interesting was the following: The virus is not highly contagious and this case "represents a very low risk to the broader, general public," Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters during a CDC briefing. Thought it was contagious, if not how did he get it?




http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/0...cmp=latestnews

I recall reading this virus was spread by droplet, rather than airborne, which requires close contact with an infected individual. Obviously preferable to an airborne contagion but, seriously, what do you expect a CDC spokesperson to say in a public statement? I'm guessing they have their talking points like every other flack, number one being "don't start a ****ing panic!"

Now if we start seeing all flights into and out of Indianapolis cancelled and roadblocks going up on highways, well, then I'm gonna be headin' out to the ranch for a couple of days, weeks, months, whatever. With a quick stop at Costco for some ribs.

[platoonDaddy]

Doesn't state (at least in this article) where it was contacted.

The second imported case of the deadly MERS respiratory virus in the United States has been confirmed in Florida, the Centers for Disease Control announced Monday (12May2014)

By designating the latest case as "imported," the CDC indicated that it was brought in from outside the United States.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...orida/8998043/