Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV): A new threat?

The Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which is based on the SARS virus and the extremely dangerous for public health, MERS virus, causes the "Acute Respiratory Syndrome of the Middle East", and it is possible that under appropriate conditions it could give rise to a pandemic. Knowledge about the epidemiology, causative factors, pathogenesis, transmission, symptoms and prevention measures against the virus can help in the management of the disease. This report is based on an extensive review of the recent literature derived from Greek and international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Greek University's Institutional Repository). This new virus is easily transmitted from person to person and the early symptoms are similar to that of the common seasonal influenza. The mortality rate to date is over 40%, as of 139 confirmed cases of infection by the virus, 60 were fatal. For this reason, it is necessary for health professionals to be on the alert as the severity of symptoms, the ease of transmission, but mainly its initial similarity to common flu can lead to underestimation of the problem.