Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA and neutralising antibodies in milk collected according to local customs from dromedary camels, Qatar, April 2014

Euro Surveill. 2014 Jun 12;19(23):20829. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.23.20829.

Abstract

Antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were detected in serum and milk collected according to local customs from 33 camels in Qatar, April 2014. At one location, evidence for active virus shedding in nasal secretions and/or faeces was observed for 7/12 camels; viral RNA was detected in milk of five of these seven camels. The presence of MERS-CoV RNA in milk of camels actively shedding the virus warrants measures to prevent putative food-borne transmission of MERS-CoV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / genetics
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / genetics
  • Camelus / blood*
  • Coronavirus / genetics*
  • Coronavirus / immunology*
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Foodborne Diseases / prevention & control
  • Milk / virology*
  • Qatar
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral