Emerging Infectious Diseases (Aug 2014)

Geographic Distribution of MERS Coronavirus among Dromedary Camels, Africa

  • Chantal B.E.M. Reusken,
  • Lilia Messadi,
  • Ashenafi Feyisa,
  • Hussaini Ularamu,
  • Gert-Jan Godeke,
  • Agom Danmarwa,
  • Fufa Dawo,
  • Mohamed Jemli,
  • Simenew Melaku,
  • David Shamaki,
  • Yusuf Woma,
  • Yiltawe Wungak,
  • Endrias Zewdu Gebremedhin,
  • Ilse Zutt,
  • Berend-Jan Bosch,
  • Bart L. Haagmans,
  • Marion P.G. Koopmans

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2008.140590
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 8
pp. 1370 – 1374

Abstract

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We found serologic evidence for the circulation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus among dromedary camels in Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. Circulation of the virus among dromedaries across broad areas of Africa may indicate that this disease is currently underdiagnosed in humans outside the Arabian Peninsula.

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