The "WAGD" post of the day (blame the camels)

There is a small outbreak of MERS in South Korea, brought there by a traveler from the middle east

.On Tuesday, South Korea reported its first two deaths from MERS since the first confirmed case two weeks ago, fueling growing worry about the spread of the illness in the country, which has reported the most cases of MERS outside the Middle East. South Korea has isolated about 750 people for possible MERS infection, which is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered the deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). MERS has a much higher death rate than SARS and there is no cure or vaccine.

we have had several Filipino health care workers get it in Saudi, and one who tested positive brought it here.

and Newsweek reports that China has reported it's first case. 

the death rate is high, which makes me suspect that most cases are not being diagnosed... the symptoms are similar to that of the flu.
most cases have been in contact with a person who has had MERS, which is why we worry here (we have a lot of health care people working in the Middle East).

As for prevention: Well, remember to wash your hands and face after you kiss a camel.

Exposure to camels
The MERS virus has been found in some camels, and some MERS patients have reported contact with camels. However, we do not know exactly how people become infected with the virus—many people with MERS have had close contact with a person sick with MERS.
The World Health Organization has posted a general precaution for anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoid contact with sick animals. Travelers should also avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products.

Yes, I'm joking, because the cases may be from camel meat or milk or direct contact, but as this article shows, camel owners  do get nuzzled by their favorite camels, just like Cowboys get nuzzled by their horses.

A man wearing a mask poses with camels at a camel market in the village of al-Thamama near Riyadh in this May 11, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Faisal Nasser/Files - See more at: http://1389blog.com/2014/05/22/dont-kiss-that-camel-saudi-arabia-coverup-blamed-for-mers-virus-spread/#sthash.Ro9S1SMD.dpuf

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