New research suggests MERS epidemic unlikely

Researchers recently concluded new studies on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and determined that it is unlikely that MERS will become an epidemic. The team analyzed clinical-outcome reports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to determine how the Sultanate of Oman is handling cases and how long patients remain contagious. Most MERS-CoV patients have been hospitalized, lessening the likelihood that the virus will be a pandemic or epidemic. Health professionals have implemented strict infection-control measures — such as isolation, hygiene precautions and one-patient-per-room ratios — to lessen the chance of spreading the disease. Other studies have shown that MERS-CoV is contagious for a longer period of time than health professionals originally believed. These results reinforce the importance of taking precautions against the disease’s spread. “These findings highlight the importance of applying infection-control measures in health care facilities where patients with suspected MERS-CoV infection are admitted,” Dr. Ziad Memish, a co-author of the study,...