Xuezheng Ma
Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine ,China
Title: No MERS-CoV but prevalence of influenza viruses in returning Hajj pilgrims, China, 2013-2015
Biography
Biography: Xuezheng Ma
Abstract
Background:
The mass gathering of pilgrims has a high global health risk for the global concern that travelers returning from pilgrimage could contribute to the international spread of MERS-CoV. In China, about 11,000 Muslim pilgrims participate the Hajj gathering in Mecca annually. This is the first report for MERS-CoV and respiratory viruses detection results at points of entry in China from 2013-2015.
Case Presentation:
A total of 847 returning hajj pilgrims participated in this study. The test result indicated that 34 Influenza A, 14 Influenza B, 2 Metapneumo Virus, 2 Respiratory Syncytial Virus, 3 Human Coronavirus positives were tested from travelers with fever. The statistical analysis showed there was a significant difference between participants with or without fever. The positive rate of influenza virus was 5.3%, 6.0% and 6.3% among 2013-2015. However, there was no significant difference among three years for respiratory virus positive participants.
Conclusions:
The MERS-CoV and respiratory viruses detection results at points of entry in China from 2013-2015 indicated there was lack of MERS-CoV infection but the prevalence of influenza viruses in Chinese pilgrims.