1Cross Sectional Study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers-Cov Infection) in Camels at Selected Sites of Amibara District, Afar Region, Ethiopia

Background A Cross sectional study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus (MERS-CoV) in Camel was conducted between February 2018 to April 2019 in three selected sites of Amibara district of Afar region, Northeast Ethiopia. The study was aimed to observe the current sero-prevalence status of MERS-CoV, assess the presence of active cases through detection RNA Viral particle and investigate possible risk factors of MERS-CoV in camels. A total of 589 sera were collected and tested with indirect Enzyme linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (iELISA). Result The overall seroprevalance of MERS-CoV was 87.3% (n=514/589, 95% CI: 84.5-89.9). Association of different risk factors with seroprevalance revealed that origin (X2=13.39,P=0.001), sex (X2=4.5 P=0.034), age ((X2=185.7, P=0.001) season (X2=41.7, P=0.000) and reproduction status (X2=96.1, P=0.001) displayed a statistical significant difference among the groups (P<0.05) while herd size did not show a Significant difference among groups (p>0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR=7.39, 95% CI:3.43-15.91), season (OR=4.83, 95% CI:-2.14-10.90), and in adult female camel reproduction status (OR=7.39,95% C I:3.43-15.91) showed statistically significant difference among the groups for MERS CoV antibody detection while risk factors of origin, animal sex and herd size difference were statistically insignificant. A total of 857 nasal swab samples were collected for the detection of MERS-CoV RNA particle. However, all swab samples tested by Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique were Negative for the virus. Conclusion In conclusion, the present study revealed a high seroprevalance of MERS CoV in adult camels. However, in spite of high seroprevalance the lack of any RNA viral particle in the study suggests the need for further in depth longitudinal study to detect the circulating virus focusing on juveniles and young camels whereby seroprevalance of antibody is low when compared with adult camel in order to get the active virus before the camel develop antibody. Moreover, the zoonotic significance and potential transmission routes of MERS CoV to pastoral communities should also be investigated and design strategy for the preparedness in control of the diseases in Ethiopia. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. * DNA : Deoxy ribonucleic acid DPP : Dipeptidyl peptidase E : Envelope protein ELISA : Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay FAO : Food and Agriculture organization HKU : Hong Kong University IELISA : Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay M : Matrix protein MERS-CoV : Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus N : Nucleocapsid protein NAHDIC : National Animal Health Disease Investigation Centre NSP : Non-structural protein ORF : Open reading frame P : Protein RNA : Ribonucleic acid RT-rtPCR : Reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR : Real time polymerase chain reaction S : Spike-(surface glycoprotein) SARS : Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SP : Structural protein UpE : Upstream Envelope URT : Upper Respiratory Tract