Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd August 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Common cold virus originated in camels, study shows
camel
"Our current study gives us a warning sign regarding the risk of a MERS pandemic - because MERS could perhaps do what HCoV-229E did."
Scientists concerned about the potential for a MERS pandemic
 
New research suggests that one of the four human coronaviruses that cause common colds originated in camels.

The discovery has prompted fears over a potential pandemic of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a deadly coronavirus that also originated in camels and was identified in humans for the first time in 2012.

'HCoV-229E' is one of four human coronaviruses that cause common colds. While infection with the virus is generally harmless to humans, researchers say its global spread through human-to-human transmission could now be cause for concern.

Professor Christian Drosten from the University Hospital of Bonn in Germany said: "Our current study gives us a warning sign regarding the risk of a MERS pandemic - because MERS could perhaps do what HCoV-229E did."

Led by Prof Drosten, the research team examined around 1,000 camels for coronaviruses and were surprised to find pathogens related to HCoV-229E in nearly six per cent of cases. Further analysis indicated the virus was transmitted from camels to humans.

The common cold viruses isolated from camels were also able to enter human cells through the same receptor used by HCoV-229E. However, the human immune system can protect itself against the camel viruses and further testing indicated there is no immediate risk of an epidemic in humans, as the majority of the human population has immunity.

But Prof Drosten said the MERS virus "is a strange pathogen".

"Smaller, regionally restricted outbreaks, for example in hospitals, keep occurring. Fortunately, the virus has not adapted well enough to humans, and has consequently been unable to spread globally up to now."

Based on their findings, the team say there is a need for action and they are working to develop a vaccine against MERS, which will go into clinical testing next year.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk