Qatar experience on One Health approach for middle-east respiratory syndrome coronavirus, 2012–2017: A viewpoint

Farag, Elmoubasher; Nour, Mohamed; Islam, Md. Mazharul; Mustafa, Aya; Khalid, Minahil; Sikkema, Reina S.; Alhajri, Forhud; Bu-Sayaa, Abdulla; Haroun, Mohamed; Van Kerkhove, Maria D.; Elkholy, Amgad; Malik, Sk. Mamunur R.; Reusken, Chantal; Koopmans, Marion; AlHajri, Mohd M.

The One Health road map recommended to start with a case-control study and seroepidemiological surveys targeting at-risk populations including humans and camels besides testing the stored human respiratory samples retrospectively to determine whether the virus was totally novel to Qatar population. The outcome of joining forces in carrying out these studies was outstanding. First and foremost it helped facilitate the access of the joint RRT to the camel barns and the farms hosting race camels. Collection of samples and data of camels and their caregivers became easier, allowing a series of subsequent fundamental epidemiological, veterinary and clinical studies to take place. Through these studies it was possible to provide the first global molecular evidence that camels are a potential source for MERS-CoV [4] . The door was opened to a number of research studies that ensued thereafter to yield insights into some essential aspects of MERS-CoV. While some studies focused on exposure to camels and the husbandry practices, others addressed the mode of transmission to humans, and possible risk factors [4, [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . These findings have been used to provide further guidance for studies and prevention measures in Qatar and other affected countries.