Viral Disease Spreads to Southeast Asia

Summary:

A viral disease known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has reached Asia from Malaysia and the Philippines. The Malaysian Health Ministry said a 54 year old man who came back recently from a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia died of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome on Sunday. Also, a Filipino nurse was quarantined, along with his family, after a positive blood test. Even though the nurse appeared healthy she had been in contact with a Filipino paramedic in the United Arab Emirate who died of MERS. On Wednesday there was 10 new cases which were all health workers who treated a MERS patient who died on April 10th. The disease was discovered in 2012. Since ten there have been 243 confirmed cases with 93 deaths. The coronavirus that causes this disease appears to originate in bats and is widespread in Middle Eastern Camel herds. Occasionally, it infects humans and can spread among them, most often after close contact. 

Analysis:

This viral disease is originated in bats and seems to be most common in the middle east. It was first discovered in 2012 and there has only been 243 confirmed cases with only 93 deaths. Relatively speaking I would say that these numbers seem to be substantially low. I feel like the health organizations and hospitals are doing a pretty good job at containing the disease. Now that they suspect that it is commonly transmitted through herds of Middle Eastern Camels I feel as though everyone should make an effort in containing the disease in the herds of camels and maybe begin to treat the camels who have the disease as preemptive step in preventing the disease in humans.