Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
[h=4]Source: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/6/15-2113_article[/h] [h=4]Letter[/h] [h=1]MERS-CoV Infection of Alpaca in a Region Where MERS-CoV is Endemic[/h] Suggested citation for this article
To the Editor: Accumulating evidence indicates that dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) are a reservoir for zoonotic transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Although numerous studies have looked at other livestock in the Middle East region, evidence for MERS-CoV infection has only been found in dromedaries (1). Extensive and continuous circulation of MERS-CoV occurs in the Al Shahaniya region of Qatar, most likely because of the presence of an international camel racing track and numerous barns holding camels (2,3). In April 2015, we investigated the MERS-CoV infection status of 15 healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in a herd of 20 animals and 10 healthy dromedaries in a herd of 25 animals at a farm in this region (Technical Appendix[PDF - 394 KB - 2 pages]).
The herds were located at a distance of ≈200 m from each other within the barn complex and were cared for by the same animal workers, who lived in a common house between the herds at the complex. Both the alpacas and camels were kept as hobby animals.
To the Editor: Accumulating evidence indicates that dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) are a reservoir for zoonotic transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Although numerous studies have looked at other livestock in the Middle East region, evidence for MERS-CoV infection has only been found in dromedaries (1). Extensive and continuous circulation of MERS-CoV occurs in the Al Shahaniya region of Qatar, most likely because of the presence of an international camel racing track and numerous barns holding camels (2,3). In April 2015, we investigated the MERS-CoV infection status of 15 healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in a herd of 20 animals and 10 healthy dromedaries in a herd of 25 animals at a farm in this region (Technical Appendix[PDF - 394 KB - 2 pages]).
The herds were located at a distance of ≈200 m from each other within the barn complex and were cared for by the same animal workers, who lived in a common house between the herds at the complex. Both the alpacas and camels were kept as hobby animals.