MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
MERS is a viral respiratory illness and stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. It is called so because it was first reported in Saudi Arabia in the April, 2012. Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have been linked to the countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. Cases of MERS have also been reported in France, Italy, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Cause of MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
MERS is caused by a virus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which belongs to the Coronavirus family of viruses. MERS Virus belongs to the genus Betacoronavirus. Coronavirus family of viruses includes viruses that usually cause respiratory tract illnesses like the common cold in human beings, and also, these viruses cause a number of diseases in animals. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).