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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infects humans and dromedary camels and is responsible for an ongoing outbreak of severe respiratory illness in humans in the Middle East. Although some mutations found in camel-derived MERS-CoV strains have been characterized, most natural variation found across MERS-CoV isolates remains unstudied. We report on the environmental stability, replication kinetics, and pathogenicity of several diverse isolates of MERS-CoV, as well as isolates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, to serve as a basis of comparison with other stability studies. Although most MERS-CoV isolates had similar stability and pathogenicity in our experiments, the camel-derived isolate C/KSA/13 had reduced surface stability, and another camel isolate, C/BF/15, had reduced pathogenicity in a small animal model. These results suggest that although betacoronaviruses might have similar environmental stability profiles, individual variation can influence this phenotype, underscoring the need for continual global viral surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During March 2016-March 2019, a total of 200,936 suspected cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection were identified in Saudi Arabia; infections were confirmed in 698 cases (0.3% [0.7/100,000 population per year]). Continued surveillance is necessary for early case detection and timely infection control response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudi Arabia has reported >80% of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases worldwide. During April 2015-February 2016, Saudi Arabia identified and tested 57,363 persons (18.4/10,000 residents) with suspected MERS-CoV infection; 384 (0.7%) tested positive. Robust, extensive, and timely surveillance is critical for limiting virus transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are recognized risk factors for severe clinical outcomes, including death, associated with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection. Among 32 virus-infected patients in Saudi Arabia, severity of illness and frequency of death corresponded closely with presence of multiple and more severe underlying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined exposure to and transmission of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (CoV) in Saudi Arabia between January and February 2016. The variables considered include exposure of humans to dromedary camels, exposure to friends or household members, travel and history of the patients. Several tests were made such as respiratory specimen sampling, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and genome sequencing.

Since the first diagnosis of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012, sporadic cases and clusters have occurred throughout the country (1). During June-August, 2015, a large MERS outbreak occurred at King Abulaziz Medical City, a 1,200-bed tertiary-care hospital that includes a 150-bed emergency department that registers 250,000 visits per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the etiology of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in King Abulaziz Medical City, a tertiary-care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Particular focus is given to the transmission of MERS infection by a 67-year-old patient to two health care workers in the hospital's emergency department. It also highlights the establishment of the Infectious Disease Epidemic Plan (IDEP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization.