Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Healthcare Personnel

Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Healthcare Personnel

Basem M. Alraddadi, Hanadi S. Alsalmi, Kara Jacobs-Slifka, Rachel B. Slayton, Concepcion F. Estivariz, Andrew I. Geller, Hanan H. Al-Turkistani, Sanaa S. Al-Rehily, Haleema A. Alserehi, Ghassan Y. Wali, Abeer N. Alshukairi, Esam I. Azhar, Lia M Haynes, David L. Swerdlow, John A. Jernigan, Tariq A Madani

Healthcare settings can amplify transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but knowledge gaps about the epidemiology of transmission remain. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among healthcare personnel in hospital units that treated MERS-CoV patients. Participants were interviewed about exposures to MERS-CoV patients, use of personal protective equipment, and signs and symptoms of illness after exposure. Infection status was determined by the presence of antibodies against MERS-CoV. To assess risk factors, we compared infected and uninfected participants. Healthcare personnel caring for MERS-CoV patients were at high risk for infection, but infection most often resulted in a relatively mild illness that might be unrecognized. In the healthcare personnel cohort reported here, infections occurred exclusively among those who had close contact with MERS-CoV patients.

2016

Risk factors, MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, healthcare personnel, healthcare workers, personal protective equipment

DOI: 10.3201/eid2211.160920

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine

EN