Almost 300 dead by Mers virus

Camels could transmit deadly Mers virus over air

07/23/2014

Nearly 300 people have fallen victim to the deadly Mers virus. Saudi Arabian researchers suggest that camel and dromedary Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) can even be transmitted over the air, without any direct contact. However, according to her studies, the virus can only survive in the air for a short time, as the researchers in the trade magazine say „mbio“ report to the American Society for Microbiology. The scientists identified the genetic material of the dangerous pathogen in the air of a stable with dromedaries suffering from Mers.

Mers has been fatal for 288 patients so far
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 830 people had Mers disease by mid-July, and the infection was fatal for at least 288 patients. Initially, Mers appears as a flu-like illness. In severe cases, pneumonia may develop within the first week and may develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome. Often Mers patients also suffer from diarrhea and in severe cases sometimes kidney failure. Of the cases documented so far, the most severe illnesses occurred in persons with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, immunosuppression or diabetes. The Mers virus is one of the coronaviruses, which includes the Sars virus and many cold viruses.

The main vectors of human Mers viruses are camels. In addition, bats could transmit the dangerous pathogen. Esam Azhar researchers from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah focused on camels in their investigation. In a stable, they took air samples for three consecutive days last November, as the 43-year-old owner died of Mers and four of his dromedaries were also ill. The man had previously administered medication to one of the animals via the nose of the animal.

Mers virus only stays stable in the air for a short time
According to the researchers, fragments of the viral genome could only be detected in the first sample. This had been taken on a day on which one of the animals in the stable had been tested positive for Mers. The other air samples, however, were not contaminated with the virus. The researchers conclude that the virus only remains stable and capable of replication in the air for a short time.

Further investigations would have shown that the genotype fragments found exactly corresponded with those of the Mers virus of the ill man, report Azhar and his team in the trade magazine. It was urgently necessary to examine in more detail whether and how virus transmission via the air was possible. According to the researchers, an increase of the virus via the air in the laboratory initially did not work. One assumption is that it was not sufficiently contagious during the lab test. However, other laboratory studies have already shown that the Mers virus in the air and on surfaces under certain conditions is more stable than the influenza A virus H1N1.

The researchers advise slaughterhouse staff and camel keepers to wear gloves, respirators and protective clothing. Camel milk should only be pasteurized, camel meat should only be consumed well cooked and contact with sick animals should generally be avoided.