Objective: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012 on the Arabian Peninsula and has caused severe respiratory disease with more than 800 laboratory-confirmed cases. The return of infected pilgrims to their home countries with a putative spread of MERS-CoV necessitates further surveillance.
Methods: A cross sectional study of 839 adult African Hajj pilgrims returning to Accra in Ghana, West Africa, was conducted in 2013 to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms as well as of MERS-CoV, human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus (FLU A) infection.
Results: Six hundred and fifty-one (77.6%) pilgrims had respiratory symptoms. Tests were positive for at least one of the viruses other than MERS-CoV in 179 (21.3%) of all pilgrims, with 22.4% detection in symptomatic vs. 17.6% detection in asymptomatic pilgrims. No MERS-CoV was detected, although common respiratory viruses were prevalent, with positive findings for HRV in 141 individuals (16.8%), RSV in 43 individuals (5.1%) and FLU A in 11 individuals (1.3%). Results were positive for more than one virus in 16 (1.9%) individuals, including 14 (1.7%) RSV/HRV co-infections and 2 (0.2%) FLU A/HRV co-infections. A total 146 (22.4%) of the symptomatic returnees tested positive for at least one respiratory virus compared with 33 (17.6%) of the asymptomatic pilgrims who had at least one detectable virus in their sample.
Conclusions: The prevalence of viral respiratory infections among Hajj pilgrims in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects was high. Although it is reassuring that MERS-CoV was not detected in the tested population, there is a need for active surveillance of Hajj pilgrims.
Objectif:
Le syndrome respiratoire à coronavirus du Moyen‐Orient (
Méthodes:
Une étude de surveillance de 839 pèlerins du Hajj, adultes africains, de retour à Accra au Ghana, en Afrique de l'Ouest, a été menée en 2013 pour évaluer la prévalence des symptômes respiratoires ainsi que des infections à
Résultats:
651 (77,6%) pèlerins avaient des symptômes respiratoires. Les tests étaient positifs pour au moins un des virus autres que
Conclusions:
La prévalence des infections respiratoires virales chez les pèlerins du Hadj symptomatiques et asymptomatiques est élevée. Même s'il est rassurant de constater que
Objetivo:
El coronavirus del Síndrome Respiratorio de Oriente Medio (
Métodos:
En el 2013 se realizó un estudio de vigilancia de 839 adultos Africanos, peregrinos Hajj que regresaban a Accra en Ghana, África Occidental, con el fin de evaluar la prevalencia de síntomas respiratorios al igual que la presencia de
Resultados:
651 (77.6%) peregrinos presentaban síntomas respiratorios. Las pruebas eran positivas para al menos uno de los virus, diferente del
Conclusiones:
La prevalencia de las infecciones respiratorias virales es alta en peregrinos Hajj sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Aunque es alentador que no se haya detectado
Keywords: Coronavirus MERS; Hajj pilgrimage; Human rhinovirus; Influenza A virus; MERS-Coronavirus; MERS-coronavirus; Respiratory syncytial virus; enfermedad respiratoria; maladie respiratoire; peregrinación Hajj; pèlerinage du Hajj; respiratory illness; rhinovirus humain; rinovirus humano; virus Influenza A; virus Sincicial Respiratorio; virus de l'influenza A; virus respiratoire syncytial.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.