Latest news with #MERS
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Travel Daily News
PETA: Tourists at risk of contracting MERS from cruel camel rides
PETA issues urgent travel advisory urging tourists to avoid camel contact in the Middle East amid MERS outbreak and documented animal cruelty. HONG KONG – Amid an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia, PETA is issuing an urgent travel advisory warning visitors to the region to avoid all contact with camels, including those who are forced to give rides to humans at tourist sites – for both their own safety and the animals' well-being. The move follows a warning from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection that any camel-related activities in the Middle East – including riding them or consuming their flesh or milk – risks transmitting the potentially fatal disease, as camels are 'known reservoirs' of the virus. In addition to the danger posed to humans, PETA investigations have documented that camels used for rides and photo ops at tourist sites like the pyramids of Giza are violently and routinely beaten by their handlers. At Egypt's notorious Birqash Camel Market, a dead camel was tied by their feet to a truck and dragged through the streets and another was found dead in the middle of a road with their throat slashed open. When camels were no longer considered useful, they were often hauled to a slaughterhouse, where their throats were slit while they were still conscious. 'Cruelty and contagions run rampant at these shameful attractions, where camels are mercilessly beaten, worked until they drop, and violently killed in filthy slaughterhouses,' says PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker. 'PETA's urgent travel advisory is meant to protect both tourists and the camels who are exploited for rides from suffering and dying prematurely.' PETA points out that in addition to MERS, the majority of diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics in recent years originated in animals before being transmitted to humans – including AIDS, avian flu, swine flu, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way'– opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
MERS Coronavirus Infection Remains A Threat In The Middle East
TOPSHOT - Camels are pictured with a drone during the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, ... More some 160 kilometres east of Riyadh, on January 7, 2020. (Photo by Faisal AL-NASSER / AFP) (Photo by FAISAL AL-NASSER/AFP via Getty Images) President Trump recently completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. As part of the welcome fanfare in Qatar his motorcade was escorted by royal camels. I wondered whether the President's entourage was aware that Saudi Arabia experienced a recent outbreak of potentially deadly MERS-CoV, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which is associated with camels. In the outbreak, Saudi Arabia reported nine cases of MERS-CoV infection that occurred between March 1 and April 21, 2025. Among the cases, there were two deaths, and a cluster of six healthcare workers were infected in Riyadh after exposure to a single patient. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ... More bin Salman during an official state arrival ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Trump begins a multi-nation tour of the Gulf region focused on expanding economic ties and reinforcing security cooperation with key U.S. allies. (Photo by) MERS-CoV is a novel coronavirus, similar to the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes Covid. Like Covid, MERS can cause fatal respiratory failure. The natural host is considered dromedaries, which are single-humped Arabian camels found in the hot desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula, as opposed to Bactrian, or two-humped camels found in Asia. MERS-CoV infection is associated with close contact with dromedary camels. Like Covid, once humans are infected, they can spread the virus to others. MERS first surfaced in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Since then, 2,627 cases have been reported in 27 countries, with 946 deaths (36% fatality rate). The majority (84%) of cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, and cases have been identified only in the Middle East since 2019. A handful have been reported each year since 2021; however, given that MERS is contagious and is lacking countermeasures, it has been listed by the WHO as a priority pathogen of concern with pandemic potential. The recent Saudi Arabia case cluster illustrates the devastation potential and risk of transmission once MERS-CoV gains access to the healthcare environment. In South Korea a large outbreak in 2015 spread through medical facilities and led to 186 confirmed cases, with 38 deaths (20% death rate). The index case had traveled to the Middle East. Saudis wear mouth and nose masks as they watch camels at their farm on May 12, 2014 outside Riyadh. ... More Saudi Arabia has urged its citizens and foreign workers to wear masks and gloves when dealing with camels to avoid spreading the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus as health experts said the animal was the likely source of the disease. AFP PHOTO/FAYEZ NURELDINE (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) As with other severe respiratory viruses, common signs and symptoms of MERS infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia. Some patients may also have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Although MERS has a high death rate, it presents with a wide range of illness, from asymptomatic to respiratory failure and death. Asymptomatic cases may spread the virus unknowingly and since they may not be identified, the death rate may be an overestimate. Individuals with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease or cancer are at greater risk of severe illness. MERS spreads initially to humans by direct or indirect contact with infected dromedaries. Infected humans infected can then transmit it to others through contact or respiratory secretions when they cough or sneeze. MERS should be considered in anyone who develops severe respiratory symptoms and fever within 14 days of contact with dromedary camels or travel to the Arabian Peninsula, especially if they have visited a healthcare facility. Additional risk could come from close contact with someone who becomes ill after recent travel to the Arabian Peninsula. There are no specific treatments yet for MERS other than supportive care, and there are no vaccines, although research is being conducted on these. The main thing to do is avoid direct contact with the secretions of camels and avoid ill individuals with potential risk. Infection control measures in hospitals that were utilized to prevent Covid transmission are also beneficial for preventing the spread of MERS, which may have impacted the low numbers of cases since 2021. Royal camels certainly make an exciting welcome display in the Middle East, but you might want to think twice before climbing onto that camel for a ride in the desert.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
What robbery? I was stabbed, victim tells police
MELAKA: A 23-year-old man's attempt to avoid blame for allegedly stabbing another man backfired when the victim told a different story to the police. Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said the suspect contacted Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 at around 3.50am on May 16, claiming that he and his friend had been assaulted by two armed robbers on a motorcycle at Kampung Paya Sum, Sungai Udang. He alleged that the assailants intercepted them at the location, demanded their belongings and stabbed his friend before fleeing the scene. 'Acting on the information, police launched a manhunt for the alleged robbers. 'However, the story took a turn when the 17-year-old victim, who is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries at Hospital Melaka, revealed that there was no robbery,' he said yesterday. The victim told police that he had been stabbed by the suspect during an argument over a debt. 'We are still in the process of recording a full statement from the victim as he continues to recover from his injuries.' The suspect, from Batu Pahat, Johor, was arrested at a house in Sungai Udang on the same day. The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon. Further background checks revealed that the suspect has a prior criminal record, with nine offences, mostly related to illegal gambling activities.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Rare tropical whale found dead on Vancouver Island in B.C.'s first-ever sighting
A young Bryde's whale , a species typically found in warm, tropical waters, was discovered dead on May 14, 2025, in Port McNeill Bay on the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island , British Columbia. This marks the first recorded sighting of a Bryde's whale in B.C. waters, a region far north of its usual habitat. The whale, measuring just over seven meters in length, was initially spotted by a resident walking their dog. Experts from the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) identified it as a Bryde's whale, noting the species' distinctive three parallel ridges on its upper jaw. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Jackie Hildering, a researcher with MERS, confirmed, "This is the only Bryde's whale that has ever been seen in British Columbia waters." The 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation, whose territory includes the area where the whale was found, expressed deep concern over the incident. Live Events Chief Victor Isaac stated, "Namgis First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans." He emphasized the community's commitment to understanding the event and being stewards of their environment, or "awi'nakola." A necropsy is planned to determine the cause of death. Preliminary observations revealed no signs of malnutrition or external injuries, such as those from vessel strikes. Hildering remarked, "There's absolutely nothing grossly on the exterior of the whale to know how it ended up here and why it would have died." This incident follows the recent discovery of two dead grey whales along B.C.'s coast, raising concerns about marine life health in the region. However, researchers caution against drawing direct connections between these events. Hildering noted, "One data point is not a trend," emphasizing the need for comprehensive research. In a gesture honoring the whale's life and promoting education, the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation is donating the whale's remains to the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove, which had suffered a devastating fire on New Year's Eve. Hildering expressed gratitude, stating, "So not only can we learn from this poor whale here... but also its skeleton and baleen will be in the new Whale Interpretive Centre to make it count into the future." The appearance of a Bryde's whale so far north is unprecedented and prompts questions about changing ocean conditions and their impact on marine species.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- The Sun
Teen stabbed by friend over debt in Melaka
PETALING JAYA: A teenage boy was seriously injured after being stabbed by his friend over an old debt issue at Kampung Paya Sum, Sungai Udang last Friday. The 3.50am incident left the 17-year-old victim with severe injuries from a single stab wound and received treatment in the Red Zone at Melaka Hospital, Sinar Harian reported. Melaka Tengah district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit, said that based on initial investigations, the incident is believed to have occurred following an argument and physical altercation between the victim and his 23-year-old friend over the debt issue. 'The suspect is believed to have lost control of his anger and stabbed the victim, causing serious injuries. 'The suspect, who was also injured believed to be gotten during the struggle—is currently receiving treatment in the Yellow Zone of the same hospital,' he said in a statement today. He said police had earlier received an emergency call via the MERS 999 line from a complainant who reported that his friend had been stabbed by two unidentified suspects riding an unidentifiable motorcycle. However, the investigations have revealed that the incident was not a robbery, but a fight between acquaintances. Police said initial questioning of the victim confirmed that no robbery had taken place, instead, the incident stemmed from a dispute between the victim and a suspect known to him. 'The suspect, whose registered address is in Batu Pahat, Johor, was arrested at 6.15pm on the same day. 'During preliminary questioning, he admitted to being involved in the incident,' the statement said. Further checks revealed the suspect has nine previous records related to gambling offences. The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, which carries a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine or whipping upon conviction.
