Camels may be endemic in Saudi Arabia and tourists popularly go near these animals to hold or take pictures of them but following the MERS virus outbreak and as a preventive measure for Muslim pilgrims arriving in the kingdom to perform the umrah, authorities warn tourists and locals to stay away from the animals.
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, which was first identified in Saudi Arabia two years ago, is caused by the coronavirus MERS-CoV. The illness is characterized by shortness of breath, fever and coughing. Individuals who contracted the disease are at elevated risks for death as the fatality rate of the yet incurable disease is about 50 percent.
Following growing evidence that camels are likely passing the disease to humans, officials announced plans to test the blood and mucus samples of all domestic camels for MERS-CoV. The Health ministry has likewise warned against close contact with camels urging people to use masks and gloves when dealing with the animals. The ministry also advised against going near sick animals and consuming camel milk and raw camel meat.
Camels have long been suspected as the likely source of MERS-CoV and a growing number of studies have positively linked the humped animals with the disease. In a new study "Evidence for Camel-to-Human Transmission of MERS Coronavirus", which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 4, researchers reported that genetic sequencing revealed that a 44-year-old man who contracted and died of MERS late last year had a strain that is virtually the same as in one of his camels.
"These data suggest that MERS-CoV causes a zoonotic infection that can infect dromedary camels and can be transmitted from them to humans through close contact," Esam I. Azhar, from the King Abdulaziz University, and colleagues wrote. "Camels may act as intermediate hosts that transmit the virus from its reservoir to humans."
Many camel owners, however, did not respond positively to the warnings and recommendations of the health ministry to stay away from camels. Some have resorted to posting pictures and videos of themselves kissing their animals to give assurance that camels do not pose health risks.
Acting Health Minister Adel Faqih said on Wednesday that the warnings were based on scientific findings. He also said that that preventive measures and awareness campaigns have helped reduce the number of MERS cases. "We will remain vigilant, committed and careful and we do plan for all possible scenarios," he said.
