Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, is a viral respiratory illness that is relatively new to humans.

全稱為中東呼吸症候群，簡稱 MERS，它對人類來說是一種新的呼吸系統傳染病。

It was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and is commonly localized to the Arabian Peninsula,

2012 年在沙烏地阿拉伯被報導出第一個病例，它是個阿拉伯半島區域性常見的疾病；

however, it has since spread to several other countries, including the United States, France, and most recently South Korea.

但現在已經傳到其他許多國家，包括美國、法國、還有最近感染的南韓。

MERS, like SARS, is a coronavirus that typically presents as a cold and upper respiratory infection,

MERS 像 SARS 一樣，是個冠狀病毒，通常會有感冒或上呼吸道感染症狀

including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. MERS is dangerous because it is more severe than a common cold

包括發燒、咳嗽、氣喘。MERS 有危險性，因為它比一般正常感冒更加嚴重，

and can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and kidney failure.

它可能會導致消化系統症狀及腎衰竭。

As with all infections, children, seniors, and people with compromised immune systems

就如同其他感染一樣，孩童、老人、免疫力系統較弱的人、

or pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to contract MERS.

或是有病史的人更容易感染到 MERS。

Unfortunately, this list includes mostly the type of people found in hospitals,

不幸的是，大部分的病患都來自醫院裡，

making hospitalization in an area experiencing an outbreak of MERS a huge risk factor for infection.

使區域內住院治療成為 MERS 疫情爆發的一大感染風險。

Other risk factors include direct interaction with an infected person, travel to the Arabian Peninsula or interaction with a camel. Yep, camel.

其他的風險包括與患者直接接觸、到阿拉伯半島旅遊、或與駱駝接觸。對，就是駱駝。

Based on information from the US Center for Disease Control, the incubation period

根據美國疾病控制與預防中心所公佈的資訊，潛伏期

or time between exposure to MERS and the appearance of symptoms, is usually about 5 to 6 days,

或是介於接觸 MERS 與產生症狀之間的時間，大概是五到六天，

but can be anywhere from 2-14 days. Patient zero in the recent South Korea outbreak

但也可能是二到十四天之間的任一天。南韓近期疫情爆發的零號患者

was a man who traveled to countries in the Middle East and did not exhibit any symptoms on his return flight to Korea.

是位最近去中東國家，且在返韓航班中沒有出現任何症狀的男性。

He became sick about a week later.

他在一個禮拜之後開始有感冒症狀。

MERS is not thought to be easily transmitted between humans, and that's why the extent of the South Korean outbreak,

MERS 原本被認為是不易人傳人的疾病，這也是為什麼目前韓國疫情爆發的程度，

with three deaths and the number of people in quarantine at 1600 and climbing, is confusing to scientists.

三個死亡案例與1600位隔離患者，而且這個數字不斷在上升，使科學家感到困惑。

Actually, scientists are confused by a lot more than that, because we don’t actually know how the disease spreads.

其實，令科學家困惑的不僅如此，因為我們並不完全知道這個疾病是怎麼傳染的。

SARS, its sister disease, is communicated via virus-laden droplets from a coughs or sneezes

與 MERS 非常相似的 SARS是透過咳嗽或噴嚏飛沫傳染的病毒，

but it is possible that MERS is airborne like measles which can linger in rooms for hours.

但 MERS 也極有可能是像麻疹一樣藉由空氣傳播，而且可以停留在室內數小時。

To date, there have only been three reported cases of MERS in the US,

截至目前為止，美國只有三起 MERS 病例，

but worldwide, MERS has a mortality rate of 30%, which is pretty scary!

但全球 MERS 死亡率高達百分之三十，這是非常嚇人的！

But if you’re a healthy adult who washes their hands frequently, and actively avoids contact with sick people and camels.

但如果你是一位勤洗手的健康成人，且主動避免與病人或駱駝接觸。

And just be safe if you’re planning any trips to South Korea or the Arabian Peninsula in the near future.

如果你近期要到南韓或中東半島旅遊請注意安全。

What scary disease are you most concerned about? Let us know in the comments down below,

你最擔心什麼可怕的疾病？請在下面留言來讓我們知道，

and check out this video by Anthony to find out more about the nature of viruses.

然後觀看 Anthony 的影片來了解更多病菌的性質。