Biphasic MERS-CoV Incidence in Nomadic Dromedaries with Putative Transmission to Humans, Kenya, 2022-2023

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Mar;30(3):581-585. doi: 10.3201/eid3003.231488.

Abstract

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is endemic in dromedaries in Africa, but camel-to-human transmission is limited. Sustained 12-month sampling of dromedaries in a Kenya abattoir hub showed biphasic MERS-CoV incidence; peak detections occurred in October 2022 and February 2023. Dromedary-exposed abattoir workers (7/48) had serologic signs of previous MERS-CoV exposure.

Keywords: Kenya; MERS; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; coronavirus; dromedary camel; dynamics; incidence; reservoir; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Abattoirs
  • Animals
  • Camelus*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus*