US CDC testing retrospectively for MERS in Jordan.
I'm little slow on this day old story. Jordan was the site of the first MERS-CoV cases, confirmed retrospectively by NAMRU-3 (see MERS page; Cluster #1).
The US CDC has been sent 124 samples by the Jordan Ministry of Health from around that time to help further investigate the source of the (as far as we know) first outbreak.
The 2 cases that had been confirmed were healthcare workers, including an intensive care unit nurse. This strongly suggests at least 1 patient with the unexplained pneumonia occurring in Jordan around April 2012, was a source of the MERS-CoV.
Raises the question of what Hajj 2012 serum samples would reveal?
Raises the question of what Hajj 2012 serum samples would reveal?
Moroccan MERS?
ProMED says a news report has been confirmed by the head of the Moroccan Health Defense Network.
However, FluTrackers has a report that this has been denied by the Moroccan Health Ministry and that samples from the UAE national showing relevant clinical features, were negative for MERS-CoV.
Poultry workers had no prior exposure to H7N9 [UPDATED]
Bai and colleagues report in NEJM that 1,544 samples collected from young adult poultry workers between Jan-Nov 2012 in 4 key provinces/municipalities of China (municipality of Shanghai, Zhejiang province, Jiangsu province and Anhui province) were tested using a haemagglutinin-inhibition (HAI) assay and a microneutralization (MN) assay.
The HAI assay found some weak reactivity (antibody was positive when diluted as far as 1:40), but no neutralizing antibodies were found by MN test.
This is chapter 1 of a story that next needs to include more contemporary testing.
The first part reveals no assay-specific antibodies present in these close contacts of poultry, prior to late 2012; before the H7N9 outbreak.
Nothing unusual about MTAs-are commenters just confused?
Material transfer agreements are more the norm than the exception among scientist used to local an d international collaborations whether working with exotic new viruses - or endemic seasonal viruses from the recent or distant past.
An article in Science's ScienceInsider goes into more detail about the recent fracas. Perhaps some just don't understand the difference between MTAs, IP, business and public health needs?
It's worth noting that even if I wanted a sample of a common cold virus stored more than 50 years ago and now housed and maintained in one of the world's leading biological banks of such samples, I would have to sign an MTA that imposes restrictions on its downstream use. You can read the whole thing here...one excerpt....
It's worth noting that even if I wanted a sample of a common cold virus stored more than 50 years ago and now housed and maintained in one of the world's leading biological banks of such samples, I would have to sign an MTA that imposes restrictions on its downstream use. You can read the whole thing here...one excerpt....
ATCC Material and Progeny: ATCC Material and Progeny may only be used by Purchasers Investigator for research purposes and only in Investigators laboratory.
5 new MERS-CoV cases come from nowhere.
The Saudi Ministry of Health effusive detail below..
Within the framework of the epidemiological surveillance of the novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that five novel Coronavirus cases have been recorded among citizens in the Eastern Region, ranging in age from 73 to 85 years, but they have all chronic diseases.
That's not an excerpt. That's all of it. Even Coulson wouldn't be that reserved.
