title: Descriptive epidemiology and characteristics of confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in the Makkah Region of Saudi Arabia, March to June 2014.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Describe the epidemiology and characteristics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which are essential for control and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of MERS-CoV reported in four cities of the Makkah Region from March to June 2014. Exposure factors and comorbid conditions were analyzed using Epi Info.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the 261 cases revealed that the incidence peaked in mid-April 2014 and the fatality rate was 42%. Cough, fever, radiological evidence of pneumonia, and shortness of breath were identified as significant risk factors for a diagnosis of MER-CoV infection. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk of acquiring MERS-CoV than non-HCWs. Males in Jeddah are at higher risk due to greater outdoor exposure while females in Taif are at higher risk due to domestic caregiving. Filipino nurses are at highest risk among all HCWs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate the need to screen all contacts of HCWs to improve MERS control and form public-private partnerships to investigate the true burden of MERS.
authors.forename: AbdulSalam A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Noorwali
authors.forename: AbdulHafiz M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Turkistani
authors.forename: Sari I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Asiri
authors.forename: Fadel A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Trabulsi
authors.affiliation: Dr. Osama M. Alwafi, Al Rosefah St. Makkah 17797, Saudi Arabia, T: 966-125293231, mu_research@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Osama M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Alwafi
authors.forename: Saud H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Alzahrani
authors.forename: Muhammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: Safwat A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.forename: Mohammed D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Alzaydi
authors.forename: Khalid O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Bawakid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000635:transmission; D003371:Cough / Q000821:virology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult