Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Transmission

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Transmission

Marie E. Killerby, Holly M Biggs, Claire M. Midgley, Susan I. Gerber, John T. Watson

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection causes a spectrum of respiratory illness, from asymptomatic to mild to fatal. MERS-CoV is transmitted sporadically from dromedary camels to humans and occasionally through human-to-human contact. Current epidemiologic evidence supports a major role in transmission for direct contact with live camels or humans with symptomatic MERS, but little evidence suggests the possibility of transmission from camel products or asymptomatic MERS cases. Because a proportion of case-patients do not report direct contact with camels or with persons who have symptomatic MERS, further research is needed to conclusively determine additional mechanisms of transmission, to inform public health practice, and to refine current precautionary recommendations.

2020

MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome, coronavirus, emerging infectious disease, healthcare-associated transmission, Dromedary

DOI: 10.3201/eid2602.190697

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine

EN