Electron Microscope Image of the MERS Coronavirus (IMAGE)

University of Tokyo

Electron Microscope Image of the MERS Coronavirus

Caption

MERS is a viral infectious disease caused by a coronavirus and results in pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. The disease has been localized in Middle Eastern countries, most notably, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, mainly transmitted from dromedary camels to humans. Human-to-human transmission is rare, but can occur in close contact. Coronaviruses have a protective protein capsule and what appears to be a "crown" of projections from the surface of the virus, visible in this image.

Credit

Public domain (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MERS-CoV_electron_micrograph1.jpg" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MERS-CoV_electron_micrograph1.jpg</a>)

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.