Abstract
We detected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA in 305/1,131 (27%) camels tested at an abattoir in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, during January 2016–March 2018. We characterized 48 full-length MERS-CoV genomes and noted the viruses clustered in MERS-CoV lineage 5 clade B.
Highlights
We detected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA in 305/1,131 (27%) camels tested at an abattoir in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, during January 2016–March 2018
During 2016–2018, a total of 80 full-length MERS-CoV genome sequences were available from human infections in the Arabian Peninsula where all zoonotic disease has occurred, but only 30 sequences from dromedary camels were available, highlighting the need for contemporary dromedary MERS-CoV sequence data
During November 2015–June 2018, nasal and rectal swab specimens were collected, typically on a monthly basis, from dromedary camels slaughtered at an abattoir and camel market complex in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Appendix, https:// wwwnc.cdc.gov/EID/article/26/12/19-1094-App1. pdf)
Summary
We detected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA in 305/1,131 (27%) camels tested at an abattoir in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, during January 2016–March 2018. During November 2015–June 2018, nasal and rectal swab specimens were collected, typically on a monthly basis, from dromedary camels slaughtered at an abattoir and camel market complex in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia 305 (27%) camels sampled were MERS-CoV–positive from either nasal or rectal swabs.
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