FAO unites experts against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

FAO unites experts against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brought together technical experts from countries participating in the Emerging Pandemic Threats 2 (EPT-2) Programme in an inter-regional consultative workshop on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) surveillance from September 19 to 21. 

The three-day workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, with the aim to facilitate knowledge sharing and explore future strategies for enhanced surveillance, according to a FAO statement.

The emergence of MERS-CoV in 2012 brought to light a complex interplay between humans and camels. This virus induces respiratory ailments in humans while maintaining a sub-clinical presence in camels, the statement said.