Global Genomic Surveillance of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a persistent zoonotic and epidemic threat. We analyzed 807 publicly available human- and camel-derived MERS-CoV genomes collected during 2012–2024 to assess global genomic surveillance. Most sequences originated from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Major gaps in surveillance persist across Africa and South and Central Asia despite large camel populations, active trade, and evidence of viral circulation. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed predominance of clade B in the Arabian Peninsula and clade C in East Africa, consistent with regional patterns. We identified uneven sampling, incomplete metadata, and long delays between sample collection and public sequence submission, often spanning years. Those limitations reduce the value of genomic data for timely situational awareness. Integrating genomic with population and trade data supports timelier, more representative, and coordinated One Health surveillance for MERS-CoV but reveals major blind spots.
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BibTeX
@article{otieno2026global,
title = {{Global Genomic Surveillance of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus}},
author = {James Richard Otieno and Ahmed Mohammed Albarraq and Francis Amirtharaj Selvaraj and Amna Omair Al Mehairi and Esam Ibraheem Azhar and Christopher Ruis and Hasan Zackaria Ali Ishaq and Asma Abi Mohamed Shah and Zelalem Tadesse and Qiu Yu and Ihab El Masry and Hala Abou El Naja and Belinda L. Herring and Amal Barakat and Maria Van Kerkhove and Sophie von Dobschuetz and Lorenzo Subissi},
journal = {Emerging Infectious Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3201/eid3211.260668},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3211.260668},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global Genomic Surveillance of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
AU - James Richard Otieno
AU - Ahmed Mohammed Albarraq
AU - Francis Amirtharaj Selvaraj
AU - Amna Omair Al Mehairi
AU - Esam Ibraheem Azhar
AU - Christopher Ruis
AU - Hasan Zackaria Ali Ishaq
AU - Asma Abi Mohamed Shah
AU - Zelalem Tadesse
AU - Qiu Yu
AU - Ihab El Masry
AU - Hala Abou El Naja
AU - Belinda L. Herring
AU - Amal Barakat
AU - Maria Van Kerkhove
AU - Sophie von Dobschuetz
AU - Lorenzo Subissi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Emerging Infectious Diseases
DO - 10.3201/eid3211.260668
UR - https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3211.260668
AB - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a persistent zoonotic and epidemic threat. We analyzed 807 publicly available human- and camel-derived MERS-CoV genomes collected during 2012–2024 to assess global genomic surveillance. Most sequences originated from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Major gaps in surveillance persist across Africa and South and Central Asia despite large camel populations, active trade, and evidence of viral circulation. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed predominance of clade B in the Arabian Peninsula and clade C in East Africa, consistent with regional patterns. We identified uneven sampling, incomplete metadata, and long delays between sample collection and public sequence submission, often spanning years. Those limitations reduce the value of genomic data for timely situational awareness. Integrating genomic with population and trade data supports timelier, more representative, and coordinated One Health surveillance for MERS-CoV but reveals major blind spots.
SN - 1080-6040
SN - 1080-6059
ER -