Coronavirus News and Research

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Interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin treatment may be effective for MERS-CoV infection

Treatment with two common drugs reduced viral replication and lung damage when given to monkeys infected with the virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The condition is deadly pneumonia that has killed more than 100 people, primarily in the Middle East.

10 Sep 2013

Combination of 2 antiviral drugs improves outcome in monkey model of MERS-CoV infection

National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists report that a combination of two licensed antiviral drugs reduces virus replication and improves clinical outcome in a recently developed monkey model of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

10 Sep 2013

Scientists develop strain of MERS-CoV that can be used as vaccine against disease

Scientists have developed a strain of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that could be used as a vaccine against the disease, according to a study to be published in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

10 Sep 2013

Eight additional cases of MERS-CoV infection confirmed in Saudi Arabia

WHO has been informed of an additional eight laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in Saudi Arabia.

29 Aug 2013

Researchers uncover how SARS coronavirus uses host cell to reproduce itself

UC Irvine infectious disease researchers have uncovered components of the SARS coronavirus - which triggered a major outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2002-03 - that allow it to take over host cells in order to replicate.

23 Aug 2013

Researchers discover 100% genetic match for MERS in insect-eating bat in Saudi Arabia

A 100% genetic match for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been discovered in an insect-eating bat in close proximity to the first known case of the disease in Saudi Arabia. The discovery points to the likely animal origin for the disease, although researchers say that an intermediary animal is likely also involved.

22 Aug 2013

Scientists provide insight into emergence of inter-species transmittable viruses

Outbreaks such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) have afflicted people around the world, yet many people think these trends are on the decline.

13 Aug 2013

Researchers find antibodies specific to MERS-CoV in dromedary camels

Researchers searching for signs of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in livestock animals have found antibodies specific to the new virus in dromedary camels. The research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggests that these animals have encountered MERS-CoV, or a closely related virus, and may be one reservoir of the virus that is causing MERS in humans.

9 Aug 2013

NanoViricides, LRRI sign NDA for IND-enabling efficacy studies on FluCide drug candidates

NanoViricides, Inc. said it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. The Company intends to enter into a Master Services Agreement with LRRI for the IND-enabling efficacy studies of both its broad-spectrum injectable and oral FluCide drug candidates.

5 Aug 2013

Saudi and UK scientists provide detailed picture of MERS coronavirus

Saudi and UK scientists provide the most detailed picture yet of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, revealing a wide range of clinical symptoms and an extremely high death rate among patients with co-existing medical conditions.

29 Jul 2013

WHO issues travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrims traveling to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The World Health Organization has issued interim travel advice on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which has affected nine countries to date.

26 Jul 2013

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists from the University Bonn (Germany) and South Africa have now detected a virus in the faeces of a South African bat that is genetically more closely related to MERS-CoV than any other known virus.

25 Jul 2013

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

The life-threatening MERS coronavirus that has emerged in the Middle East could spread faster and wider during two international mass gatherings involving millions of people in the next few months, according to researchers who describe the most likely pathways of international spread based upon worldwide patterns of air travel.

20 Jul 2013

Safe Life FZC employs NanoSeptic self-cleaning products to combat MERS outbreak

Safe Life FZC, a new breed of healthcare distributors based in United Arab Emirates, is employing the latest technology to combat dangerous outbreaks like the deadly Coronavirus or MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

18 Jul 2013

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus currently unlikely to cause a pandemic, finds study

New estimates of the transmissibility of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in humans suggest that it does not yet have pandemic potential, according to research published in The Lancet.

9 Jul 2013

Coronavirus incubation period may be longer than previously thought

A detailed clinical description of two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in France, published online in The Lancet today, suggests that the incubation period for the virus may be longer than previously thought, and longer quarantine periods may be required to rule out infection among patient contacts.

29 May 2013

Columbia University, Chinese Center for Disease Control to open joint pathogen discovery lab in Beijing

The Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention within the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention will open a Joint Research Laboratory for Pathogen Discovery to conduct surveillance, identify new infectious microbes, establish novel platforms for diagnostics, and develop drugs and vaccines to treat diseases in humans and animals.

29 May 2013

The Global Virus Network to hold spring 2013 meeting in Munich, Germany

The Global Virus Network, a coalition of the world's leading medical virology research centers working to prevent illness and death from viral disease, will hold its spring 2013 meeting in Munich, Germany May 30 to June 1.

28 May 2013

Viewpoints: The threat from 'contagion exhaustion;' An economist sees humor in hospital pricing

There has been a flurry of recent attention over two novel infectious agents: the first, a strain of avian influenza virus (H7N9) in China that is causing severe respiratory disease and other serious health complications in people; the second, a coronavirus, first reported last year in the Middle East, that has brought a crop of new infections.

13 May 2013

Five more die of SARS-like disease in Saudi Arabia

"Saudi Arabia said five more people have died of a deadly new virus from the same family as SARS, and two other people were in intensive care," Reuters reports.

3 May 2013

Coronavirus News and Research

Interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin treatment may be effective for MERS-CoV infection

Combination of 2 antiviral drugs improves outcome in monkey model of MERS-CoV infection

Scientists develop strain of MERS-CoV that can be used as vaccine against disease

Eight additional cases of MERS-CoV infection confirmed in Saudi Arabia

Researchers uncover how SARS coronavirus uses host cell to reproduce itself

Researchers discover 100% genetic match for MERS in insect-eating bat in Saudi Arabia

Scientists provide insight into emergence of inter-species transmittable viruses

Researchers find antibodies specific to MERS-CoV in dromedary camels

NanoViricides, LRRI sign NDA for IND-enabling efficacy studies on FluCide drug candidates

Saudi and UK scientists provide detailed picture of MERS coronavirus

WHO issues travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrims traveling to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

Safe Life FZC employs NanoSeptic self-cleaning products to combat MERS outbreak

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus currently unlikely to cause a pandemic, finds study

Coronavirus incubation period may be longer than previously thought

Columbia University, Chinese Center for Disease Control to open joint pathogen discovery lab in Beijing

The Global Virus Network to hold spring 2013 meeting in Munich, Germany

Viewpoints: The threat from 'contagion exhaustion;' An economist sees humor in hospital pricing

Five more die of SARS-like disease in Saudi Arabia

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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