Enhanced surveillance and infection-control practices are needed to prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel respiratory pathogen first reported in 2012. During September 2014–January 2015, an outbreak of 38 cases of MERS was reported from 4 healthcare facilities in Taif, Saudi Arabia; 21 of the 38 case-patients died. Clinical and public health records showed that 13 patients were healthcare personnel (HCP). Fifteen patients, including 4 HCP, were associated with 1 dialysis unit. Three additional HCP in this dialysis unit had serologic evidence of MERS-CoV infection. Viral RNA was amplified from acute-phase serum specimens of 15 patients, and full spike gene-coding sequencing was obtained from 10 patients who formed a discrete cluster; sequences from specimens of 9 patients were closely related. Similar gene sequences among patients unlinked by time or location suggest unrecognized viral transmission. Circulation persisted in multiple healthcare settings over an extended period, underscoring the importance of strengthening MERS-CoV surveillance and infection-control practices.
【저자키워드】 viruses, respiratory infections, coronavirus, Epidemiology, MERS, MERS-CoV, Saudi Arabia, serum, genetic sequencing, Middle East respiratory syndrome, 【초록키워드】 public health, Sequencing, dialysis, RNA, Surveillance, outbreak, clinical, healthcare, Patient, Viral transmission, patients, Evidence, healthcare personnel, Middle East, respiratory pathogen, sequence, specimen, syndrome, MERS-CoV infection, healthcare facility, enhanced, Prevent, hcp, gene sequence, amplified, died, reported, was obtained, 【제목키워드】 respiratory, Middle East,