Healthcare-associated Infections: The Hallmark of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) With Review of the Literature

Abstract

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a coronavirus capable of causing acute respiratory illness. Laboratory confirmed MERS-CoV cases may be asymptomatic, have mild disease or life-threatening infection with a high case fatality rate. There are three patterns of transmission: sporadic community cases from presumed non-human exposure, family clusters arising from contact with the infected family index case, and healthcare-acquired infections among patients and from patients to healthcare workers. Healthcare-acquired MERS infection has become a well-known characteristic of the disease and a leading means of spread. Contributing factors foremost to such healthcare-associated outbreaks include delayed recognition, inadequate infection control measures, inadequate triaging and isolation of suspected MERS or other respiratory illness patients, crowding, and patients remaining in the emergency department for many days. A review of the literature suggests effective control of these hospital outbreaks was accomplished in most instances by the application of proper infection control procedures. Prompt recognition, isolation, and management of suspected cases are key factors for the prevention of the spread of MERS. Repeated assessments of infection control and monitoring of corrective measures contribute to changing the course of an outbreak. Limiting the number of contacts and hospital visits are also important factors to decrease the spread of infection.