One-health approach to MERS-COV, 2012-2017: Experience from Qatar

Objectives: The emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 was accompanied by uncertainty about its epidemiological and clinical characteristics Once camelus dromedarius was found to be the natural reservoir of the virus public health systems across the Arabian Peninsula came under unprecedented pressure to control its transmission This study describes how a One Health approach was used in Qatar to manage the MERS-CoV outbreak between 2012 and 2017 Method(s): The One Health approach adopted brought together professionals working in the health, animal welfare, and environmental sectors To manage the MERS outbreak the Qatar National Outbreak Control Taskforce (OCT) was reactivated in November 2012 and experts from the animal health sector were invited to join Later, technical expertise was requested from the WHO, FAO, CDC, Erasmus University (EMC), and Public Health England (PHE) A One Health roadmap was subsequently delivered addressing surveillance and investigation, epidemiological studies and increased local diagnostic capacity Result(s): The joint OCT, once trained, was allocated resources and had access to high risk areas to gather evidence on the potential source of the virus and investigate all cases within 24-48 hours of reporting Lack of sufficient technical guidance on veterinary surveillance and poor risk perception among vulnerable populations constituted major obstacles to maintaining systematic One Health performance Conclusion(s): A One Health approach is essential for generating evidence and implementing control measures to restrain MERS-CoV and other zoonotic diseases