Poll finds majorities in 22 nations concerned over MERS

CIDRAP
7/24/13

Majorities of respondents in 22 of 24 nations are concerned that cases of Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) might be detected in their country soon, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll of 15 developed countries and 9 developing nations released today, Ipsos said in a news release.

In the developed nations, 39% of respondents said they are aware of MERS, while in the developing countries 49% are aware. Awareness among the developed nations is highest in France (59%), Sweden (51%), and Italy (49%) and lowest in Australia (20%), Spain (26%), and Hungary (28%). In the nine developing countries, awareness is highest in China (67%), India (63%), and Saudi Arabia (62%)—home to most of the world's 90 confirmed MERS cases—and lowest in South Africa (35%), Mexico (35%), and Brazil (35%).

When it comes to the chance of MERS cases in their country "in the near future," 59% total (and 65% of those aware) in the developed nations and 70% total (and 78% of those aware) in the developing countries expressed concern.

Continued:  http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/07/news-scan-jul-24-2013