title: Dromedary Camels and the Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
abstract: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an existential threat to global public health. The virus has been repeatedly detected in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Adult animals in many countries in the Middle East as well as in North and East Africa showed high (>90%) seroprevalence to the virus. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus isolated from dromedaries is genetically and phenotypically similar to viruses from humans. We summarize current understanding of the ecology of MERS-CoV in animals and transmission at the animal-human interface. We review aspects of husbandry, animal movements and trade and the use and consumption of camel dairy and meat products in the Middle East that may be relevant to the epidemiology of MERS. We also highlight the gaps in understanding the transmission of this virus in animals and from animals to humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Hsa, Saudi Arabia.|Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hemida
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Hsa, Saudi Arabia.|Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elmoslemany
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Hsa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Hizab
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Hsa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alnaeem
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Animal Welfare, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Hsa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Almathen
authors.affiliation: FAO Consultant, Camel Project UTF/SAU/044/SAU, Centre for Agriculture Project, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.affiliation: The School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: D K W
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: The School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: R A P M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.affiliation: The School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peiris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000639:trends; D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000821:virology*; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008461:Meat Products / Q000821:virology; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010641:Phenotype; D011634:Public Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
keywords: MERS-CoV; coronavirus; dromedary camels; human; transmission; zoonosis