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. 2015 Jul-Aug;130(4):307-17.
doi: 10.1177/003335491513000407.

CDC's Early Response to a Novel Viral Disease, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), September 2012-May 2014

Holly Ann Williams  1 , Richard L Dunville  2 , Susan I Gerber  3 , Dean D Erdman  3 , Nicki Pesik  4 , David Kuhar  5 , Karen A Mason  3 , Lia Haynes  3 , Lisa Rotz  4 , Jeanette St Pierre  3 , Sarah Poser  3 , Sudhir Bunga  1 , Mark A Pallansch  3 , David L Swerdlow  6 ; MERS-CoV Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

CDC's Early Response to a Novel Viral Disease, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), September 2012-May 2014

Holly Ann Williams et al. Public Health Rep. 2015 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

The first ever case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was reported in September 2012. This report describes the approaches taken by CDC, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, to respond to this novel virus, and outlines the agency responses prior to the first case appearing in the United States in May 2014. During this time, CDC's response integrated multiple disciplines and was divided into three distinct phases: before, during, and after the initial activation of its Emergency Operations Center. CDC's response to MERS-CoV required a large effort, deploying at least 353 staff members who worked in the areas of surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection control guidance, and travelers' health. This response built on CDC's experience with previous outbreaks of other pathogens and provided useful lessons for future emerging threats.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) reported cases by outcome and month of onset, April 2012–April 2014 (451 total cases)a
Figure 2
Figure 2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abbreviated organizational chart for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus response, 2013
Figure 3
Figure 3
CDC early response to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, September 2012–May 2014: what worked
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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