Expert: Cats and dogs should be tested for mysterious coronavirus MERS infection

[Pathfinder]

26 May 2014 Last updated at 04:09 ET

Cats and dogs to be tested for mysterious Mers infection
By Matt McGrath

Scientists are soon to test cats, dogs and even rats as they seek to understand the mysterious Mers infection.
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One expert told BBC News that the hunt is likely to soon extend to animals that have close contact with people.
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A recent study showed conclusively that the version of the virus circulating in humans is indistinguishable from the one that's been found in camels.

However the lead author of that report, Dr Thomas Briese from Columbia University, believes that there are many unanswered questions about the disease.

He points to the fact that if camels were the sole route of infection, then the illness should be more prevalent among those who work with or are in close contact with the animals.
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Dr Briese says that other species, including goats and sheep, have been tested but haven't shown antibodies indicating exposure.

Another report showed that the geographic distribution of the disease in camels is far more widespread than previously thought, with significant reservoirs in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tunisia.

Adding to the Mers mystery, there have been no reports of people dying from the respiratory infection in these areas.
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Full text:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27538712

 

[Emily]

Re: Expert: Cats and dogs should be tested for mysterious coronavirus MERS infection

He points to the fact that if camels were the sole route of infection, then the illness should be more prevalent among those who work with or are in close contact with the animals.

Once again, other experts have said that long-time exposure to common viruses in another species should be protective as far as immunity goes. So unless someone is a novice camel breeder or handler, why would there be prevalence of pathological infection among that group?

The link to pet dogs and cats is unlikely, IMO. Index MERS cases would be more widespread if that were true, unless free-ranging pets are picking up something and bringing it home. I hope the media hype about this theory does not scare people into abandoning their pets or harming others' pets.

Why not look at the recently flourishing exotic animal trade?

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/videos/exotic-animal-market-in-jeddah-saudi-arabia-488905.html
Exotic animal market in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 10 February 2013 11:55 AM


The video reports that breeding exotics is an increasingly popular hobby among wealthy Saudi's. That fits the demographic of many of the index patients.