title: Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Healthcare Settings, Abu Dhabi.
abstract: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections sharply increased in the Arabian Peninsula during spring 2014. In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, these infections occurred primarily among healthcare workers and patients. To identify and describe epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of persons with healthcare-associated infection, we reviewed laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases reported to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi during January 1, 2013-May 9, 2014. Of 65 case-patients identified with MERS-CoV infection, 27 (42%) had healthcare-associated cases. Epidemiologic and genetic sequencing findings suggest that 3 healthcare clusters of MERS-CoV infection occurred, including 1 that resulted in 20 infected persons in 1 hospital. MERS-CoV in healthcare settings spread predominantly before MERS-CoV infection was diagnosed, underscoring the importance of increasing awareness and infection control measures at first points of entry to healthcare facilities.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Duc
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Bashir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aden
authors.forename: Zyad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Al Bandar
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al Dhaheri
authors.forename: Kheir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abu Elkheir
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khudair
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Mulla
authors.forename: Feda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El Saleh
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imambaccus
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al Kaabi
authors.forename: Farrukh Amin
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Jurgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sasse
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abdel Wareth
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Ameri
authors.forename: Wesal
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abu Amer
authors.forename: Negar N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Alami
authors.forename: Sudhir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bunga
authors.forename: Lia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: Aron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kallen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuhar
authors.forename: Huong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: Suxiang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Brett L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Susan I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Farida Ismail
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Al Hosani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000821:virology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: MERS-CoV; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus; United Arab Emirates; coronavirus infections; healthcare-associated infections; nosocomial infections; transmission; viruses; zoonoses