Monday, May 05, 2014

Tracking and Mapping the MERS Virus


Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. The infection can cause severe acute respiratory illness, fever and shortness of breath. Currently the infection has a mortality rate of around 27%.

MERS has so far largely been confined to the Arabian Peninsula but a few cases have also been reported in Europe and last week the first case was reported in the United States. The MERS Corona Map is tracking occurrences of the infection around the world.

The map uses data from the World Health Organization and health ministries to track the spread of the infection. Colored circular map markers show the number of people infected in cities. You can click on the markers to view the total number of infections and the number of deaths caused by the virus.

The map also allows you to filter the map to show the latest cities to report infections or to view the cities that have reported the most infections.

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