Biphasic MERS-CoV Incidence in Nomadic Dromedaries with Putative Transmission to Humans, Kenya, 2022–2023
Brian Ogoti, Victor Riitho, Johanna Wildemann, Nyamai Mutono, Julia Tesch, Jordi Rodon, Kaneemozhe Harichandran, Jackson Emanuel, Elisabeth Möncke‐Buchner, Stella Kiambi, Julius Oyugi, Marianne Mureithi, Victor M. Corman, Christian Drosten, Samuel M. Thumbi, Marcel A. Müller
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is endemic in dromedaries in Africa, but camel-to-human transmission is limited. Sustained 12-month sampling of dromedaries in a Kenya abattoir hub showed biphasic MERS-CoV incidence; peak detections occurred in October 2022 and February 2023. Dromedary-exposed abattoir workers (7/48) had serologic signs of previous MERS-CoV exposure.
Topics & Concepts
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirusIncidence (geometry)Transmission (telecommunications)Veterinary medicineBiologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)SerologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MedicineImmunologyInternal medicineDiseaseAntibodyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Electrical engineeringEngineeringOpticsPhysicsCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 impact on air quality