key: cord-0287991-d44ofuax authors: Sibhatu, Demeke; Mamo, Gezahagne; Aklillu, Fasil; Zewde, Demeke; Walelign, Elias; Muluneh, Ayelech; Aliey, Abdi; Mirkena, Tadele; Tewolde, Nega; Gari, Getachew; van ‘t Klooster, Gijs; Elmasry, Ihab; VonDobschuetz, Sophie; Peiris, Malik; Chu, Daniel; Perera, Ranawaka APM; Jobire, Yilma title: 1Cross Sectional Study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers-Cov Infection) in Camels at Selected Sites of Amibara District, Afar Region, Ethiopia date: 2020-10-25 journal: bioRxiv DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.25.353227 sha: bfcafd38f89ac327325d37df5f8aec9756e085f4 doc_id: 287991 cord_uid: d44ofuax 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. The one-humped camel (Camelus dromedaries) is an important livestock species 71 exceptionally adapted to hot, dry and harsh environment due to heat and 72 water deprivation tolerance. These tolerances in camels appear to be due to behavioral 73 response that reduces heat absorption, a relatively efficient sweating mechanism 74 for heat dissipation, an ability to reduce fecal and urine water loss and the ability 75 to vary body temperature substantially. It is used for milk and meat production, 76 transportation, and draught power Other authors also described 93% seropositivity and 7% (n =7/100) MERS CoV RNA 136 detection in Ethiopia, Afar region camels [12] . However, data from experimental An introduction to animal husbandry in the tropics Camel production systems in Ethiopia: A review of 489 literature with notes on MERS CoV risk factors Livestock report Corona-virus; an overview of their 494 replication and pathogenesis Ecological and epidemiological roles of camels: Lessons from existing 498 and emerging viral infections Dromedary camels and the transmission of Middle East 502 respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).Trans boundary and Emerging Sparse evidence of MERS-CoV infection among 507 animal workers living in southern Saudi Arabia during Lack of Middle 510 East respiratory syndrome coronavirus transmission from infected camels Geographic distribution of MERS corona 514 virus among dromedary camels Risk factors for MERS coronavirus 517 infection in dromedary camels in MERS corona-viruses from camels in Africa exhibit 521 region-dependent genetic diversity Epidemiological 525 investigation of MERS CoV among dromedary camels in selected areas of Afar 526 and Oromia region Replication and shedding of MERS-CoV in upper 530 respiratory tract of inoculated dromedary camels Camel and cattle population dynamics and livelihood diversification as a 535 response to climate change in pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Livestock Research 536 for Rural Development Seroprevalance of camel brucellosis (Camelus dromedaries) 540 in Somaliland. Tropical animal health and production A cross-sectional study on the risk factors for the 543 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) in camels. Global 544 science Research Journal Veterinary epidemiology Turbinate sampling for MERS CoV detection in Dromedary MERS-CoV diagnostic 393 MERS CoV antibody detection through indirect ELISA test 394 The MERS CoV antibody detection was carried out using the indirect ELISA test which is 395 EUROIMMUN Anti -MERS-CoV S1 ELISA Camel (IgG) kit AG product of Lübeck, 396 Germany according to manufacturer's instructions [19] . 397 Availability of data and materials 448 The data and materials are available.