SARS-CoV2

Many programs have been created to track SARS-CoV-2 variations internationally during the
epidemic, made possible by the quick, nearly real-time exchange of genomic data by various
institutes globally. COVID-19 Data Portal 2, Nextstrain 5, and CoV-Spectrum 6 are a few of
these programs. The accuracy of the information depends on the underlying data, though, and
Western nations are favored in genetic monitoring initiatives. When comparing data in
overviews produced by outbreaks, care must be used because different genomic and other
monitoring methodologies were used in various nations. Moreover, the value of global genomic
data resources is diminished by the absence of genetic sequences owing to privacy issues,
stigmatization, or other factors.

The World Health Organization (WHO” is urging member countries to continue monitoring,
which in the long run is likely to be overseen by public health institutions and include a process
for annotation of data.

Reference:
Oude Munnink, B. B., & Koopmans, M. (2023). Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants and resources.
Nature Methods, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-023-01833-y

‌MERS CoV

Since the disease was first identified in Saudi Arabia in April 2012, over 2 600 cases of Middle
East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been detected in 27 countries. In
Europe, eight countries have reported confirmed cases, all with direct or indirect connections to
the Middle East. The majority of MERS-CoV cases continue to be reported from the Middle
East. The source of the virus remains unknown, but the pattern of transmission and virological
studies point to dromedary camels in the Middle East as a reservoir from which humans
sporadically become infected through zoonotic transmission. Secondary human-to-human
transmission has occurred, particularly within households and in healthcare settings.

Since the previous update on 9 January 2023, and as of 30 January 2023, one new MERS-CoV
case has been reported by Oman health authorities. The case was a primary case, with no contact
with camels reported, and had onset of symptoms on 28 December 2022.
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 30 January 2023, no MERS-CoV cases have been
reported with date of onset in 2023 by health authorities worldwide or by the World Health
Organization.

Reference:

MERS-CoV worldwide overview. (n.d.). European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-mers-cov-
situation-update