Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA and neutralising antibodies in milk collected according to local customs from dromedary camels, Qatar, April 2014
Reusken, C B; Farag, E A; Jonges, M; Godeke, G J; El-Sayed, A M; Pas, S D; Raj, V S; Mohran, K A; Moussa, H A; Ghobashy, H; Alhajri, F; Ibrahim, A K; Bosch, B J; Pasha, S K; Al-Romaihi, H E; Al-Thani, M; Al-Marri, S A; AlHajri, M M; Haagmans, B L; Koopmans, M P
(2014) Eurosurveillance, volume 19, issue 23
(Article)
Abstract
Antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were detected in serum and milk collected according to local customs from 33 camels in Qatar, April 2014. At one location, evidence for active virus shedding in nasal secretions and/or faeces was observed for 7/12 camels; viral RNA was detected in milk
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of five of these seven camels. The presence of MERS-CoV RNA in milk of camels actively shedding the virus warrants measures to prevent putative food-borne transmission of MERS-CoV.
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Keywords: Animals, Antibodies, Neutralizing, Antibodies, Viral, Camels, Coronavirus, Cultural Characteristics, Foodborne Diseases, Milk, Qatar, RNA, Viral, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
ISSN: 1025-496X
Publisher: Centre Europeen pour la Surveillance Epidemiologique du SIDA
(Peer reviewed)