CDC's Early Response to a Novel Viral Disease, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), September 2012-May 2014.
The first ever case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was reported in September 2012. This report describes the approaches taken by CDC, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, to respond to this novel virus, and outlines the agency responses prior to the first case appearing in the United States in May 2014. During this time, CDC's response integrated multiple disciplines and was divided into three distinct phases: before, during, and after the initial activation of its Emergency Operations Center. CDC's response to MERS-CoV required a large effort, deploying at least 353 staff members who worked in the areas of surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection control guidance, and travelers' health. This response built on CDC's experience with previous outbreaks of other pathogens and provided useful lessons for future emerging threats.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Health Protection, Atlanta, GA.
Holly Ann
HA
Williams
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA.
Richard L
RL
Dunville
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Susan I
SI
Gerber
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Dean D
DD
Erdman
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Atlanta, GA.
Nicki
N
Pesik
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Health Care Quality and Promotion, Atlanta, GA.
David
D
Kuhar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Karen A
KA
Mason
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Lia
L
Haynes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Atlanta, GA.
Lisa
L
Rotz
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Jeanette
J
St Pierre
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Sarah
S
Poser
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Health Protection, Atlanta, GA.
Sudhir
S
Bunga
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
Mark A
MA
Pallansch
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Science and Integrated Programs, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA.
David L
DL
Swerdlow
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration