Current epidemiological status of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the world from 1.1.2017 to 17.1.2018: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is considered to be responsible for a new viral epidemic and an emergent threat to global health security. This study describes the current epidemiological status of MERS-CoV in the world. Methods Epidemiological analysis was performed on data derived from all MERS-CoV cases recorded in the disease outbreak news on WHO website between 1.1.2017 and 17.1.2018. Demographic and clinical information as well as potential contacts and probable risk factors for mortality were extracted based on laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases. Results A total of 229 MERS-CoV cases, including 70 deaths (30.5%), were recorded in the disease outbreak news on world health organization website over the study period. Based on available details in this study, the case fatality rate in both genders was 30.5% (70/229) [32.1% (55/171) for males and 25.8% (15/58) for females]. The disease occurrence was higher among men [171 cases (74.7%)] than women [58 cases (25.3%)]. Variables such as comorbidities and exposure to MERS-CoV cases were significantly associated with mortality in people affected with MERS-CoV infections, and adjusted odds ratio estimates were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.16, 7.03) and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.35, 8.20), respectively. All age groups had an equal chance of mortality. Conclusions In today’s “global village”, there is probability of MERS-CoV epidemic at any time and in any place without prior notice. Thus, health systems in all countries should implement better triage systems for potentially imported cases of MERS-CoV to prevent large epidemics.

The risk factors associated with MERS-CoV patient fatality: A global survey

“…Based on the analysis, the overall global %CFR of MERS was 32.0% [451/1408], which is substantially lower than the %CFR in the MERS-CoV endemic region (Table 2) (Petersen et al 2014) However, our estimates were higher than the largest MERS outbreak in South Korea (CFR of 21%) (Cowling et al 2015). Our analyses of the WHO data was approximately similar to the CFR of 34% reported by Memish et al (Memish et al 2014), and also CFR of 30.5% declared by Mobaraki et al (Mobaraki and Ahmadzadeh 2019a). The regional variation of CFR from previously conducted studies may be skewed due to severity of disease and smaller sample sizes than have been investigated previously.…”

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) associated stress among medical students at a university teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

“…During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 and the influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009, researchers evaluated psychological stress on HCWs using different modalities, and stress was found constantly high. Other emotional stressors that were found to be highly prevalent among HCWs were the exceeded worries about one's own or family's health, fear, feeling of stigmatization by working in a hospital, with some of these concerns associated with younger ages [6,10,11]. Comparing different groups, doctors reported fewer worries than other HCW [12].…”

“…The questionnaire used was partially adapted from a previously published study in Greece after obtaining the authors' permission [6].…”

Middle East respiratory syndrome

“…Acute and severe respiratory illness (ie, a fatal outcome after multiorgan failure) has been noted in only two of 38 reported paediatric cases and these were in boys aged 9 months and 2 years with comorbidities (infantile nephrotic syndrome and cystic fibrosis, respectively). [71][72][73][74] Data on the prevalence of MERS-CoV in pregnant women are limited to case reports, and the clinical presentations and mortality rates are similar to nonpregnant women. 75 MERS should be kept on the differential diagnosis list for ill travellers returning home from MERS-CoV endemic areas who present with acute febrile illness (temperature ≥38°C), aches and pains, headache, cough, dyspnoea, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, unexplained leucopenia (white blood cell count <3·5 × 110⁹/L), and thrombocytopenia (platelets <150 × 10⁹/L)-either with or without prominent respiratory symptoms.…”