Strains of
MERS‐CoV that match human strains have
been isolated from camels in Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Four cases
of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been linked to
camel milk in Saudi Arabia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The
National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia (SAU) reported laboratory-confirmed
cases of infection between 29 September and 11 October.
Out of
seven cases, four reported frequent contact with camels and often consumed raw
camel milk.
A 51 year old male from Haradh City developed symptoms on 30 September and died on 5 October, said WHO. The possible contact with animals and consumption of raw camel products of a 69 year old male from Taif City who developed symptoms on 17 September is under investigation.
Transmission routes unknown: Although camels are suspected to be
the primary source of MERS-CoV leading to human infection, the routes of direct
or indirect zoonotic transmission remain unknown, according to an assessment in
June in Eurosurveillance. A possible route might be foodborne transmission
through consumption of raw camel milk or undercooked meat.
Boiling
milk before consumption could be an easy, achievable local measure to prevent
transmission and to preserve consumption of camel milk, said the authors. It is
not yet understood exactly how people become infected with MERS‐CoV and the source is not clear, said
Hygiene recommendations: The health organization recommended
general hygiene measures such as regular hand washing before and after touching
animals and avoiding contact with sick animals. People should avoid drinking
raw camel milk or camel urine, or eating meat that has not been properly cooked.
WHO does
not advise special screening at points of entry nor does it recommend travel or
trade restrictions. Globally, 877 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with
MERS-CoV including at least 317 related deaths have been reported to WHO.
MERS is a
viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses
are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common
cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
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