Six-year experience of detection and investigation of possible Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus cases, England, 2012-2018

Public Health. 2020 Dec:189:141-143. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.007. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Sentinel Surveillance
  • Travel