Two years have passed since the initial description of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), yet the epidemic is far from being controlled. The high case fatality rate, the recent steep increase in reported cases, and the potential to cause a global pandemic during the upcoming Hajj season are serious concerns. Although a wealth of information about the pathophysiology, p...

Pathogens such as MERS-CoV, influenza A/H5N1 and influenza A/H7N9 are currently generating sporadic clusters of spillover human cases from animal reservoirs. The lack of a clear human epidemic suggests that the basic reproductive number R0 is below or very close to one for all three infections. However, robust cluster-based estimates for low R0 values are still desirable so as to help prioritis...

We utilized one-step multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Luminex xMAP technology to develop a respiratory multiplex liquid-chip assay (rMLA) for simultaneous detection of 6 common respiratory viruses, including influenza virus type A (FluA) and type B (FluB), para-influenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (MPV) and a threatening virus ...

www.thelancet.com Vol 383 May 17, 2014 1697 10 WHO. IHR Emergency Committee concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). July 9, 2013. http://www.who.int/ihr/ ihr_ec_2013/en/ (accessed May 6, 2014). 11 Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Sixth Report. London: Independent Monitoring Board, November, 2012. 12 WHO. International travel an...

The Greater Middle East Project was put forth by Colin Powel, the Minister of Defense at George Bush Administration on 12 September, 2002. The objectives which have been posed for this plan include: Economic reform, promotion of human rights, establishment of democracy and freedom of election in the Middle East which could be implemented by different instruments and tactics. Of course, it is ne...

In late 2012, a novel coronavirus that had not previously been seen in humans was identified for the first time in a resident of the Middle East. The virus, now known as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV), 1 has (as of 26 June 2015) caused more than 1350 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection. Thus far, all patients infected with MERS-CoV have had a direct or indi...