DUBAI: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about a recent case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A 28-year-old man tested positive for the virus in Al Ain, the capital of UAE’s Abu Dhabi, on July 10. This is the first reported case of MERS in the country since 2013.
The WHO is particularly interested in this case as the patient had no history of direct or indirect contact with dromedaries, goats, or sheep, which are known to carry the virus. The man was a non-resident of the UAE and was admitted to the hospital on June 8. Despite being in close contact with 108 individuals, no secondary cases have been reported so far.
MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can jump from animals to humans. While it is believed that people contract the virus through contact with infected dromedary camels, the exact mode of transmission remains unclear.
WHO Warns of More MERS Cases in Middle East
The WHO warned that additional cases of MERS infection may be reported in the Middle East and other countries where MERS is circulating in dromedaries. The virus could spread through contact with camels or their products, as well as in healthcare settings.
Given the severity of the latest case and the absence of known risk factors, the WHO is conducting genomic analysis to screen for any unusual patterns in the virus. This analysis will help assess global risks and identify any genetic evolution of the virus.
MERS can cause fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia, and has a high fatality rate. Since its discovery in 2012, there have been 2,605 reported cases of MERS worldwide, resulting in 936 deaths.
Health authorities in the UAE and other countries are urged to strengthen surveillance for acute respiratory infections, including MERS, and be vigilant for any unusual patterns to prevent further spread of the virus.
