Epidemiological factors and worldwide pattern of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus from 2013 to 2016

Abstract

BackgroundMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging threat to global health security with high intensity and lethality. This study was conducted to investigate epidemiological factors and patterns related to this disease.MethodsFull details of MERS-CoV cases available on the disease outbreak news section of the World Health Organization official website from January 2013 to November 2016 were retrieved; demographic and clinical information, global distribution status, potential contacts, and probable risk factors for the mortality of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases were extracted and analyzed by following standard statistical methods.ResultsDetails of 1,094 laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded, including 421 related deaths. Significant differences were observed in the presentation of the disease from year to year, and all studied parameters differed during the years under study (all P-values <0.05). Evaluation of the effects of various potential risk factors of the final outcome (dead/survived) revealed that two factors, namely, the morbid case being native and travel history, are significant based on a unifactorial analysis (P <0.05). From 2013 to 2016, these factors remained important. However, factors that were significant in predicting mortality varied in different years.ConclusionThese findings point to interesting potential dimensions in the dynamic of this disease. Furthermore, effective national and international preparedness plans and actions are essential to prevent, control, and predict such viral outbreaks; improve patient management; and ensure global health security.

The global burden of premature mortality due to the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) using standard expected years of life lost, 2012 to 2019

“…The available data indicates that in all age groups, male MERS cases had a higher SEYLL (10,702 years) in comparison to the female MERS cases (3817.5 years). Previous research has demonstrated a significant difference in mortality related to MERS between men and women [9,21].. In line with our finding, Maniecka-Bryla et al found that men diagnosed with the respiratory system disease in comparison to women had a higher SEYLL [22].…”

Fever in travellers returning from the tropics

“…It has a high mortality rate, close to 35-40% of detected cases. 55 The natural reservoir of the virus is the dromedary camel, but most of the infections occur person to person, as it is highly transmissible. This can be verified in the outbreak that occurred in South Korea when one single patient transmitted the disease to 82 people when he went to the A&E. 56 Clinical description varies from asymptomatic cases to febrile symptoms with cough and respiratory distress, pneumonia and respiratory distress.…”

Fiebre en el viajero retornado del trópico

“…Es un coronavirus zoonótico que fue detectado por primera vez en 2012 en Arabia Saudí. Presenta una alta mortalidad, cercana al 35-40% de los casos detectados 55 . El reservorio natural del virus son los dromedarios, pero la mayor parte de los contagios se producen persona a persona, siendo altamente transmisible, como pudo comprobarse en el brote que ocurrió en Corea del Sur a raíz de un solo paciente que transmitió la enfermedad a 82 personas al acudir al servicio de urgencias 56 .…”