MERS Virus may have Airborne Potential

Scientists have found that the deadly Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus could be passed through gene fragments found in the air. 

Since the health issue first emerged, close to 850 people had contracted the virus, of which 327 were killed, according to estimates from the European Center for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC). Though the vast majority of cases have been in Saudi Arabia, some isolated versions have also been linked to parts of Europe, Asia and the United States from those who recently traveled in the Middle East.

For the study, researchers collected air samples every day for three days, all from the camel barn that belonged to a MERS patient. The 43-year-old man, who was living south of the town of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, had died from the virus.

Researchers tested the air samples for signs of the virus, and found genetic fragments of the coronavirus that matched those found in the camel and the deceased owner.

"The clear message here is that detection of airborne MERS-CoV molecules, which were 100 percent identical with the viral genomic sequence detected from a camel actively shedding the virus in the same barn on the same day, warrants further investigations and measures to prevent possible airborne transmission of this deadly virus," said lead study author Esam Azhar, an associate professor of medical virology at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, via Reuters.

"Further investigations and measures [are needed] to prevent possible airborne transmission of this deadly virusm," Azhar added, via Health Day. "This study also underscores the importance of obtaining a detailed clinical history with particular emphasis on any animal exposure for any [MERS] case, especially because recent reports suggest higher risk of [MERS] infections among people working with camels."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the article "Detection of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Genome in an Air Sample Originating from a Camel Barn Owned by an Infected Patient," that was published in the journal, mBio.