Identifying MERS outbreaks as early as possible
MERS workshop in Dubai
Virologists at the DZIF partner site Bonn-Cologne have organised the first international WHO diagnostic training workshop on MERS coronavirus in Dubai.
Since its discovery in Saudi Arabia in 2012, the new, dangerous MERS coronavirus has been of concern to the public. The virus causes respiratory tract illness with shortness of breath and pneumonia, which can be fatal in humans. Particularly Saudi Arabia and South Korea have been affected by severe MERS outbreaks that have presented major challenges to international health systems over the last two years. In order to prevent such outbreaks, more rapid and accurate identification of MERS infected patients is required. Over the last years, the Bonn virologist and DZIF scientist Professor Christian Drosten and his team have developed and optimised diagnostics for MERS coronaviruses, which can now be used more specifically in laboratories in the worst affected regions.
To this end, the Bonn scientists organised the first WHO diagnostic training workshop on MERS-CoV in Dubai. 60 participants from 20 different countries came together to prepare local laboratories for the technical challenges accompanying MERS-CoV diagnostics, and to increase awareness for MERS in potentially affected countries. The training was conducted under the supervision of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO-EMRO) and the local Health and Environmental Ministries at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai.
With its research field “Emerging Infections”, the DZIF has put in place an excellent foundation to enable a rapid development of diagnostic agents and vaccines in the event of novel virus outbreaks, and to prevent further outbreaks as far as possible. A vaccine against MERS coronaviruses is currently being developed at the DZIF. Dromedaries, which are believed to be the source of infection, have recently been vaccinated successfully.
