Overview

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is considered an emerging zoonotic virus with dromedary camels serving as the animal reservoir. The emergence of a new virus means that we have a limited understanding of transmission patterns, severity, clinical features and risk factors for infection. To address these unknowns, the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided several MERS-CoV investigation protocols. This protocol describes a one-time cross-sectional investigation with a (highly recommended) One Health approach. This study may be implemented at any time in regions with persons who are occupationally-exposed, through contact with dromedary camels, to MERS-CoV. This investigation will inform MERS-CoV estimates of seroprevalence, prevalence (current infection) and viral shedding, as well as the geographical extent of these, among occupationally exposed populations and their dromedary camels. This study will also aid in identifying modifiable risk factors for MERS-CoV infection among occupationally exposed populations. 

Within this protocol there are detailed study procedures (e.g. recruitment, follow-up, laboratory), other study-specific guidance (e.g. ethical considerations, statistical analysis), and “Implementation tip” boxes which include further helpful details and/or considerations for adaptation of the protocol for the local context.