MERS CoV News and Research

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In recent history, we have witnessed the emergence of several different life-threatening viruses. In addition to causing serious public health concerns around the globe, they have been responsible for significant human morbidity and mortality. Modern life that entails uncurtailed travel of humans and goods means that initially localized outbreaks may pose a risk of transmission anywhere in the world.

Researchers identify infection control gaps as major culprit in spread of MERS-CoV

Little is known about the often fatal virus known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but researchers have identified gaps in infection control as a major culprit in all eleven published cases involving healthcare-associated transmission of the virus.

2 Dec 2014

Cornell University researchers reveal details of how MERS-CoV enters host cells

Cornell University researchers have uncovered details of how the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) enters host cells, and offer possible new avenues for treatment.

14 Oct 2014

NIH, CSU scientists provide evidence that supports camels as primary carrier of MERS-CoV

National Institutes of Health and Colorado State University scientists have provided experimental evidence supporting dromedary camels as the primary reservoir, or carrier, of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

25 Sep 2014

Researchers reveal transmission rate of MERS coronavirus

The MERS coronavirus has caused disease outbreaks across the Arabian Peninsula and spread to Europe several times. The severe pneumonia virus has claimed the lives of several hundred people since its discovery in 2012.

29 Aug 2014

Saudi Arabian researchers detect genetic fragments of MERS-CoV in the air of camel barn

Saudi Arabian researchers have detected genetic fragments of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the air of a barn holding a camel infected with the virus. The work, published this week in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, indicates that further studies are needed to see if the disease can be transmitted through the air.

22 Jul 2014

Research explores links between planet's health and human health

United Nations University will help pioneer a fresh trail in global health research, exploring links between the planet's health and human health at an institute in Kuala Lumpur generously supported by Malaysia.

17 Jun 2014

MERS virus can be transmitted from camel to man

A report published yesterday provided the first solid evidence that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus (MERS-cov) can be contracted by man through close contact with an infected camel.

9 Jun 2014

Researchers identify existing drugs that could be "repurposed" to fight MERS-CoV

A team led by a University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) researcher, working as a grantee from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has identified a number of existing drugs that could be "repurposed" to fight outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

22 May 2014

Existing pharmaceutical drugs may offer effective therapies against MERS

A series of research articles published ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy have identified a number of existing pharmaceutical drugs and compounds under development that may offer effective therapies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

20 May 2014

Scientists identify natural human antibodies against virus that causes MERS

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified natural human antibodies against the virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a step toward developing treatments for the newly emerging and often-fatal disease.

29 Apr 2014

Scientists extract infectious sample of MERS coronavirus from two camels in Saudi Arabia

There is new, more definitive evidence implicating camels in the ongoing outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, King Saud University, and EcoHealth Alliance extracted a complete, live, infectious sample of MERS coronavirus from two camels in Saudi Arabia.

29 Apr 2014

Small-molecule drug effective in protecting nonhuman primates from lethal Marburg virus

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the effectiveness of a small-molecule drug in protecting nonhuman primates from the lethal Marburg virus. Their work, published online in the journal Nature, is the result of a continuing collaboration between Army scientists and industry partners that also shows promise for treating a broad range of other viral diseases.

5 Mar 2014

Study: Direct camel-to-human transmission of MERS virus is possible in Saudi Arabia

An estimated three-quarters of camels recently surveyed in Saudi Arabia have evidence of infection with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the virus responsible for human cases of MERS.

27 Feb 2014

Coronavirus responsible for MERS is prevalent in camels throughout Saudi Arabia

The coronavirus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is prevalent in camels throughout Saudi Arabia and has been around for at least 20 years, according to a study to be published on February 25 in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers produce first definitive evidence that MERS-CoV infects camels

Scientists from the Netherlands and Qatar have produced the first definitive evidence that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infects camels. The researchers used gene-sequencing techniques to show that three camels from a site where two humans contracted MERS-CoV were infected with the virus.

18 Dec 2013

EcoHealth Alliance discovers new SARS-like coronavirus in Chinese horseshoe bats

EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that focuses on local conservation and global health issues, announced the discovery of a new SARS-like coronavirus (CoV) in Chinese horseshoe bats.

31 Oct 2013

New MERS coronavirus emerged from bats to humans: Research

The newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus has circulated in bats for a substantial time, before making the species leap to humans, according to research published in BioMed Central's open access publication Virology Journal.

10 Oct 2013

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

MERS CoV News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers identify infection control gaps as major culprit in spread of MERS-CoV

Cornell University researchers reveal details of how MERS-CoV enters host cells

NIH, CSU scientists provide evidence that supports camels as primary carrier of MERS-CoV

Researchers reveal transmission rate of MERS coronavirus

Saudi Arabian researchers detect genetic fragments of MERS-CoV in the air of camel barn

Research explores links between planet's health and human health

MERS virus can be transmitted from camel to man

Researchers identify existing drugs that could be "repurposed" to fight MERS-CoV

Existing pharmaceutical drugs may offer effective therapies against MERS

Scientists identify natural human antibodies against virus that causes MERS

Scientists extract infectious sample of MERS coronavirus from two camels in Saudi Arabia

Small-molecule drug effective in protecting nonhuman primates from lethal Marburg virus

Study: Direct camel-to-human transmission of MERS virus is possible in Saudi Arabia

Coronavirus responsible for MERS is prevalent in camels throughout Saudi Arabia

Researchers produce first definitive evidence that MERS-CoV infects camels

EcoHealth Alliance discovers new SARS-like coronavirus in Chinese horseshoe bats

New MERS coronavirus emerged from bats to humans: 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

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