Upsurge in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERs), an illness caused by a coronavirus was first identified in 2012 and now in 2015, the death toll has risen to 385 in Saudi Arabia
alone.The illness affects the respiratory system with patients having symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fever.
Transmission is mainly by close contact between infected persons and others with everyday preventive measures like hand washing remaining relevant in preventing the illness. Although the disease remains endemic in Saudi Arabia, it has been found in a few isolated cases around the world (especially those with history of travel to the Middle East).