Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Healthcare Settings, Abu Dhabi

Overview

Journal Emerg Infect Dis

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2016 Mar 17

PMID 26981708

Citations 84

Authors

Jennifer C Hunter

Duc Nguyen

Bashir Aden

Zyad Al Bandar

Wafa Al Dhaheri

Kheir Abu Elkheir

Ahmed Khudair

Mariam Al Mulla

Feda El Saleh

Hala Imambaccus

Nawal Al Kaabi

Farrukh Amin Sheikh

Jurgen Sasse

Andrew Turner

Laila Abdel Wareth

Stefan Weber

Asma Al Ameri

Wesal Abu Amer

Negar N Alami

Sudhir Bunga

Lia M Haynes

Aron J Hall

Alexander J Kallen

David Kuhar

Huong Pham

Kimberly Pringle

Suxiang Tong

Brett L Whitaker

Susan I Gerber

Farida Ismail Al Hosani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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