Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

Area of Science:

• * Infectious Diseases
• * Virology
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Three zoonotic coronaviruses, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have emerged in the last two decades, causing severe human illness.
• * MERS-CoV, first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012, is of bat origin and transmitted to humans primarily through dromedary camels.
• * Human-to-human transmission of MERS-CoV is a significant concern, particularly in healthcare settings, leading to notable outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the origins, transmission, clinical presentation, and control of MERS-CoV.
• * To highlight the public health threat posed by MERS-CoV due to its high mortality and epidemic potential.
• * To emphasize the urgent need for effective vaccines and medical countermeasures.

Main Methods:

• * Genomic analysis to determine MERS-CoV origins.
• * Epidemiological investigation of MERS-CoV outbreaks.
• * Review of clinical presentations and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• * MERS-CoV genomic analysis points to bat origins with camel intermediate transmission.
• * Nosocomial outbreaks in healthcare settings demonstrate significant human-to-human MERS-CoV transmission.
• * MERS-CoV causes severe respiratory illness with a high mortality rate, and no specific antiviral treatments are currently approved.

Conclusions:

• * Early diagnosis and stringent infection control measures are critical for preventing MERS-CoV hospital-associated outbreaks.
• * Preventive strategies include avoiding contaminated animal products, practicing good hygiene, and community/healthcare worker education.
• * Development of effective MERS-CoV vaccines is a high priority.