Race to unravel source of deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome virus in Kenya

Scientists are racing to unravel how two Kenyans may have been infected with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus that has killed close to 600 globally.

The move comes after a research study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases reported that a 26-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man in Tana River County showed evidence of having contracted the disease in the past.

This is the first time the virus has been spotted in Africa, sparking major concern since it causes severe acute respiratory illness that can lead to death in some cases. Most of the known infections and deaths from the disease have previously occurred in Saudi Arabia.

The blood samples of the two Kenyans contained antibodies that are usually produced by the immune system in response to the virus infection.

Investigations are now focused on whether the infection may have originated from camels. Although the two individuals infected reared no camels, a large number of the animals are found in the county, meaning that they may have had regular contact with them.

"Dromedary camels widely carry the virus and human infections have been directly linked to contact with camels," wrote Dr Anne Liljander, a scientist at the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute, who was part of the study.

She added: "The households of nearly all participants kept or owned livestock, mainly goats, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. Although camel husbandry was not common among participants, camels are widespread in this region."

Dr Liljander said that the likelihood of the infection having come from wild animals or other livestock animals such as goats and sheep has also not been excluded.

While commenting on the published research, Dr Ahmed Kalebi, Honorary Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and a consultant pathologist, said there is no reason to believe that there is a public health threat from MERS virus in Kenya just yet.

Dr Kalebi, who is also the CEO of Lancet Group of laboratories that has the capacity to test for the virus in humans, said that while he wasn't involved in the research study, the two individuals picked out by the scientists are old cases since their blood samples were taken in 2013 and 2014.

"Out of the 1122 people who were tested for the virus, only two showed evidence of having been infected in the past. It does not mean that the two current have the virus and can infect others. Furthermore, the level of their antibodies as reported suggests they were probably infected a long time prior to the samples being collected," he said.

He added: 'The researchers in the study have said that there is no evidence of a MERS outbreak in Kenya nor is there an immediate risk of the virus in the country. But surveillance should be enhanced."

Investigators will also attempt to establish if the virus was transmitted from one human to another as it has happened in Middle Eastern countries.

Although neither individual who were infected in the past is ill or recalls having any symptoms associated with MERS, there is growing concerns about the disease in the country and the need to scale up surveillance. .The authors of the study included scientists from the ILRI, the Kenya Ministry of Health, the University of Bonn Medical Center.

The researchers indicated there may be more Kenyans with the virus but have not visited health facilities due to lack of accessibility or the symptoms of the disease may have been mild or non-existent as was the case with the two individuals discovered with the virus