Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels, Tunisia
Simone Eckstein, Rosina Ehmann, Abderraouf Gritli, Houcine Ben Yahia, Manuel Diehl, Roman Wölfel, Mohamed Ben Rhaiem, Kilian Stoecker, Susann Handrick, Mohamed Ben Moussa
Abstract
Free-roaming camels, especially those crossing national borders, pose a high risk for spreading Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To prevent outbreaks, active surveillance is necessary. We found that a high percentage of dromedaries in Tunisia are MERS-CoV seropositive (80.4%) or actively infected (19.8%), indicating extensive MERS-CoV circulation in Northern Africa.
Topics & Concepts
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirusOutbreakMiddle East respiratory syndromeCoronavirusCoronavirus InfectionsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyVeterinary medicineGeographyMedicineInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseAnimal Diversity and Health StudiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 epidemiological studies