University of Oregon faculty and staff who are connected with overseas travel and international study will soon have an opportunity to learn about MERS (Mideast Respiratory Syndrome) at a town hall meeting to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8 in Room 202 of the Ford Alumni Center.

The town hall meeting is a collaborative effort between the UO and Lane County Public Health, designed to provide accurate information on how to prevent infection and limit the spread of the disease. The meeting is free of charge.

MERS is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. Different versions of the coronavirus cause the common cold and caused SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which became a global epidemic in 2003.

Most people confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. They had fever, cough and shortness of breath. Since April 2012, 90 cases of MERS, resulting in 45 deaths, have been reported in eight countries: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

MERS spreads from ill people to others through close contact, but it has not become pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared MERS a public health emergency, but because half of all who have contracted the virus have died, it is considered very serious.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted a travel notice, A Novel Coronavirus Called "MERS-CoV" in the Arabian Peninsula, and has reached out to health departments, hospitals, and other partners to prepare for possible cases in the United States.

Lane County Health and Human Services Public Information Officer Jason Davis believes holding a town hall to discuss MERS, its symptoms, how it spreads and how travelers can protect themselves is an important step in preventing an outbreak of the disease.

“Lane County Public Health has taken a robust stance in terms of prevention,” says Davis. “When it comes to diseases like MERS that have the potential to be a pandemic illness, this means disseminating information to the public before there is an actual problem.”

The CDC advises people to see their doctor if they have reason to suspect they’ve been infected with MERS. Travelers are encouraged to follow these tips to help prevent respiratory illnesses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or sharing eating utensils with sick people.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.

- by Aria Seligmann, UO Office of Strategic Communication