Infections occurred exclusively among personnel who had close contact with MERS-CoV patients. Healthcare settings can amplify transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but knowledge gaps about the epidemiology of transmission remain. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among healthcare personnel in hospital units that treated MERS-CoV patients. Participants were interviewed about exposures to MERS-CoV patients, use of personal protective equipment, and signs and symptoms of illness after exposure. Infection status was determined by the presence of antibodies against MERS-CoV. To assess risk factors, we compared infected and uninfected participants. Healthcare personnel caring for MERS-CoV patients were at high risk for infection, but infection most often resulted in a relatively mild illness that might be unrecognized. In the healthcare personnel cohort reported here, infections occurred exclusively among those who had close contact with MERS-CoV patients.
【저자키워드】 viruses, respiratory infections, zoonoses, Personal protective equipment, Risk factors, Healthcare workers, MERS-CoV, occupational health, Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, healthcare personnel, 【초록키워드】 Epidemiology, knowledge, hospital, Infection, Transmission, Symptom, Cohort, Patient, patients, close contact, Middle East, high risk, retrospective cohort study, participant, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, mild illness, occurred, reported, conducted, amplify, treated, was determined, presence of antibody, uninfected participants, 【제목키워드】 respiratory, Middle East, Factor,