Bangalore, May 23 (PTI): Karnataka Government will set up surveillance teams at Bangalore International Airport and Mangalore Airport to conduct test on passengers arriving from the Middle East, where Mers Coronavirus has created panic in those countries, Health Minister U T Khader said.

"As per the advisory of the Central Government, the government will set up surveillance teams at the Kempegowda International Airport and Mangalore Airport to conduct test on passengers arriving from the Middle East...," he told reporters here.

The decision also comes in the wake of reports that the disease is spreading in Karnataka as a large number of people from Middle East countries arrive through Bangalore and Mangalore airports, Khader said.

The minister also said the disease is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Hence, passengers from those countries should be screened.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness that first surfaced in Saudi Arabia in April 2012, is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. The disease is referred to as Coronaviruses as they have crown-like projections on their surfaces. "Corona" in Latin means "crown" or "halo".

Recently, it has been confirmed that Arabian camel is the origin of the infectious disease.

Talking about H1N1 disease, Khader said the health department had stepped up surveillance and awareness measures as the number of influenza cases were on the rise.

So far eight deaths due to swine flu have been reported since January this year, he said, adding, "Three deaths were reported this month."

Mangalore: Fear of Mers Corona disease spreading in coastal region?