tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Public Health
. 2020 Oct 20;189:141-143.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.007. Online ahead of print.
Six-year experience of detection and investigation of possible Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus cases, England, 2012-2018
H Zhao[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F ParryFord[SUP] 2 [/SUP], G Dabrera[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M Sinnathamby[SUP] 2 [/SUP], J Ellis[SUP] 2 [/SUP], J Dunning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], H Osman[SUP] 3 [/SUP], N Machin[SUP] 4 [/SUP], R Pebody[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: Surveillance for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been undertaken in the UK since September 2012. This study describes the surveillance outcomes in England from 2012 to 2018.
Study design: This was a descriptive study using surveillance data.
Methods: Local health protection teams in England report possible MERS cases to the National Infection Service with clinical and laboratory data.
Results: A total of 1301 possible MERS cases were identified in the study period. Five cases were laboratory-confirmed MERS. The majority of cases had travelled to Saudi Arabia (56.7%) and United Arab Emirates (25.9%). Fifty-four percent of cases were men and 43.7% were women. The majority of cases (65.1%) were aged 45 years or older. The number of tests increased in the period after Hajj each year. Laboratory-confirmed alternative diagnoses were available for 513 (39.4%) cases; influenza was the most common virus detected (n = 255, 52.4%).
Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of differential diagnosis of influenza and other respiratory pathogens and early influenza antiviral treatment.
Keywords: England; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); Surveillance.
. 2020 Oct 20;189:141-143.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.007. Online ahead of print.
Six-year experience of detection and investigation of possible Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus cases, England, 2012-2018
H Zhao[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F ParryFord[SUP] 2 [/SUP], G Dabrera[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M Sinnathamby[SUP] 2 [/SUP], J Ellis[SUP] 2 [/SUP], J Dunning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], H Osman[SUP] 3 [/SUP], N Machin[SUP] 4 [/SUP], R Pebody[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33227597
- DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.007
Abstract
Objectives: Surveillance for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been undertaken in the UK since September 2012. This study describes the surveillance outcomes in England from 2012 to 2018.
Study design: This was a descriptive study using surveillance data.
Methods: Local health protection teams in England report possible MERS cases to the National Infection Service with clinical and laboratory data.
Results: A total of 1301 possible MERS cases were identified in the study period. Five cases were laboratory-confirmed MERS. The majority of cases had travelled to Saudi Arabia (56.7%) and United Arab Emirates (25.9%). Fifty-four percent of cases were men and 43.7% were women. The majority of cases (65.1%) were aged 45 years or older. The number of tests increased in the period after Hajj each year. Laboratory-confirmed alternative diagnoses were available for 513 (39.4%) cases; influenza was the most common virus detected (n = 255, 52.4%).
Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of differential diagnosis of influenza and other respiratory pathogens and early influenza antiviral treatment.
Keywords: England; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); Surveillance.