• Jennifer C Hunter, Duc Nguyen, Bashir Aden, Zyad Al Bandar, Wafa Al Dhaheri, Kheir Abu Elkheir, Ahmed Khudair, Mariam Al Mulla, Feda El Saleh, Hala Imambaccus, Nawal Al Kaabi, Farrukh Amin Sheikh, Jurgen Sasse, Andrew Turner, Laila Abdel Wareth, Stefan Weber, Asma Al Ameri, Wesal Abu Amer, Negar N Alami, Sudhir Bunga, Lia M Haynes, Aron J Hall, Alexander J Kallen, David Kuhar, Huong Pham, Kimberly Pringle, Suxiang Tong, Brett L Whitaker, Susan I Gerber, and Farida Ismail Al Hosani.
• Emerging Infect. Dis. 2016 Apr 1; 22 (4): 647-56.

AbstractMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections sharply increased in the Arabian Peninsula during spring 2014. In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, these infections occurred primarily among healthcare workers and patients. To identify and describe epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of persons with healthcare-associated infection, we reviewed laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases reported to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi during January 1, 2013-May 9, 2014. Of 65 case-patients identified with MERS-CoV infection, 27 (42%) had healthcare-associated cases. Epidemiologic and genetic sequencing findings suggest that 3 healthcare clusters of MERS-CoV infection occurred, including 1 that resulted in 20 infected persons in 1 hospital. MERS-CoV in healthcare settings spread predominantly before MERS-CoV infection was diagnosed, underscoring the importance of increasing awareness and infection control measures at first points of entry to healthcare facilities.

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