SARS, MERS and the Sunspot Cycle

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks pose a serious public health threat because of the high fatality risk. Research on the environmental factors underlying SARS and MERS epidemiology may provide useful insights into the occurrence of such outbreaks. This study suggests that double peaks in the sunspot cycle in 2002 and 2012 were associated with the emergence of SARS and MERS outbreaks. Potential mechanisms by which sunspot activity may influence such outbreaks in humans are discussed. Current and future surveillance efforts should be supported to construct a comprehensive early warning system involving sunspot activity for detecting future SARS and MERS outbreaks as early as possible.