Community case clusters of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Hafr Al-Batin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a descriptive genomic study

Memish, Z. A., Cotten, M. , Watson, S. J., Kellam, P., Zumla, A., Alhakeem, R. F., Assiri, A., Al Rabeeah, A. A. and Al-Tawfiq, J. A. (2014) Community case clusters of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Hafr Al-Batin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a descriptive genomic study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 23, pp. 63-68. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.03.1372) (PMID:24699184) (PMCID:PMC4441753)

Abstract

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first described in September 2012 and to date 86 deaths from a total of 206 cases of MERS-CoV infection have been reported to the WHO. Camels have been implicated as the reservoir of MERS-CoV, but the exact source and mode of transmission for most patients remain unknown. During a 3 month period, June to August 2013, there were 12 positive MERS-CoV cases reported from the Hafr Al-Batin region district in the north east region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition to the different regional camel festivals in neighboring countries, Hafr Al-Batin has the biggest camel market in the entire Kingdom and hosts an annual camel festival. Thus, we conducted a detailed epidemiological, clinical and genomic study to ascertain common exposure and transmission patterns of all cases of MERS-CoV reported from Hafr Al-Batin. Analysis of previously reported genetic data indicated that at least two of the infected contacts could not have been directly infected from the index patient and alternate source should be considered. While camels appear as the likely source, other sources have not been ruled out. More detailed case control studies with detailed case histories, epidemiological information and genomic analysis are being conducted to delineate the missing pieces in the transmission dynamics of MERS-CoV outbreak.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cotten, Professor Matthew
• Authors: Memish, Z. A., Cotten, M., Watson, S. J., Kellam, P., Zumla, A., Alhakeem, R. F., Assiri, A., Al Rabeeah, A. A., and Al-Tawfiq, J. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1201-9712
• ISSN (Online): 1878-3511
• Published Online: 31 March 2014
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Infectious Diseases 23: 63-68
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License