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Source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ar...tea-leaves-on-mers-coronavirus-238951621.html
A global threat or so 2013? Experts read the tea leaves on MERS coronavirus
By: Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
Last Modified: 01/6/2014 3:41 PM
TORONTO - Infectious disease watchers were worried in the late summer of 2013. The largest annual mass gathering in the world, the Hajj, was approaching. Meanwhile, infections with the new MERS coronavirus were mounting weekly in Saudi Arabia, where more than two million of the Muslim faithful would soon gather.
The fear was the event would give the new virus wings ? a round-the-world ticket to wherever returning pilgrims might travel. It was easy to imagine MERS taking root in the slums of south Asia or Africa, fuelling outbreaks in overcrowded hospitals in some of the world's mega-cities. In other words, becoming the next SARS.
It didn't happen.
In fact, when experts studying this disease reflect on MERS in 2013 and prognosticate on how the disease's story will play out in 2014, the non-event of the Hajj is a source of marvel ? and relief...
A global threat or so 2013? Experts read the tea leaves on MERS coronavirus
By: Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
Last Modified: 01/6/2014 3:41 PM
TORONTO - Infectious disease watchers were worried in the late summer of 2013. The largest annual mass gathering in the world, the Hajj, was approaching. Meanwhile, infections with the new MERS coronavirus were mounting weekly in Saudi Arabia, where more than two million of the Muslim faithful would soon gather.
The fear was the event would give the new virus wings ? a round-the-world ticket to wherever returning pilgrims might travel. It was easy to imagine MERS taking root in the slums of south Asia or Africa, fuelling outbreaks in overcrowded hospitals in some of the world's mega-cities. In other words, becoming the next SARS.
It didn't happen.
In fact, when experts studying this disease reflect on MERS in 2013 and prognosticate on how the disease's story will play out in 2014, the non-event of the Hajj is a source of marvel ? and relief...