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MERS coronavirus outbreak: Implications for emerging viral infections
Awad Al-Omari1, Ali A Rabaan2, Samer Salih3
1Critical Care and Infection Control Department, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, and Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|November 11, 2018
Summary
Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory illness with a high mortality rate. Dromedary camels are implicated as a major source of human MERS-CoV infection, necessitating urgent research for treatments and vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012, causing severe respiratory illness and acute kidney injury.
- MERS-CoV has a high mortality rate (over 35%) with significant outbreaks in Saudi Arabia.
- Over 2220 laboratory-confirmed cases and 790 deaths have been reported globally since 2012.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological, clinical, and infection control aspects of MERS-CoV.
- To highlight the Saudi Arabian experience with MERS-CoV outbreaks.
- To discuss current treatments and vaccine development progress for MERS-CoV.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data from WHO reports.
- Analysis of clinical case presentations and outcomes.
- Examination of infection control measures in healthcare settings.
Main Results:
- Saudi Arabia accounts for over 80% of MERS-CoV cases.
- Human-to-human transmission is primarily through close contact, mainly in healthcare settings.
- Dromedary camels are strongly implicated as the primary animal reservoir for zoonotic transmission.
Conclusions:
- MERS-CoV remains a significant public health threat, listed as a WHO blueprint priority disease.
- Urgent research and development of effective drugs and vaccines are critical.
- Continued vigilance in infection control and understanding zoonotic transmission are essential.
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