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. 2019 May;25(5):927-935.
doi: 10.3201/eid2505.181728.

Risk Factors for MERS-CoV Seropositivity among Animal Market and Slaughterhouse Workers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2014-2017

Ahmed Khudhair, Marie E Killerby, Mariam Al Mulla, Kheir Abou Elkheir, Wassim Ternanni, Zyad Bandar, Stefan Weber, Mary Khoury, George Donnelly, Salama Al Muhairi, Abdelmalik I Khalafalla, Suvang Trivedi, Azaibi Tamin, Natalie J Thornburg, John T Watson, Susan I Gerber, Farida Al Hosani, Aron J Hall

Risk Factors for MERS-CoV Seropositivity among Animal Market and Slaughterhouse Workers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2014-2017

Ahmed Khudhair et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 May.

Abstract

Camel contact is a recognized risk factor for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Because specific camel exposures associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity are not fully understood, we investigated worker-camel interactions and MERS-CoV seroprevalence. We assessed worker seroprevalence in 2 slaughterhouses and 1 live-animal market in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, during 2014-2017 and administered an epidemiologic survey in 2016 and 2017. Across 3 sampling rounds during 2014-2017, we sampled 100-235 workers, and 6%-19% were seropositive for MERS-CoV at each sampling round. One (1.4%) of 70 seronegative workers tested at multiple rounds seroconverted. On multivariable analyses, working as a camel salesman, handling live camels or their waste, and having diabetes were associated with seropositivity among all workers, whereas handling live camels and either administering medications or cleaning equipment was associated with seropositivity among market workers. Characterization of high-risk exposures is critical for implementation of preventive measures.

Keywords: Abu Dhabi; MERS; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome; United Arab Emirates; camels; coronavirus; respiratory infections; risk factors; seroepidemiology; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagram of study site indicating market and slaughterhouse settings, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of workers sampled during >1 round of sampling (N = 79), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Black stars indicate when serum samples were taken; gray shading indicates follow-up periods.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency of tasks performed by camel salesmen (N = 37) in market, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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