The intersection of infected livestock from endemic tapeworm regions and dogs scavenging for disposed animal by-products creates the perfect storm to infect vulnerable human populations.
- Professor of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, University of Liverpool and International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya, University of Liverpool
Nairobi harbours all the ingredients for zoonotic spillover to occur between animals and people, particularly in the most densely populated areas of the city.
This is the first time that camel handlers in East Africa have been shown to have been exposed to MERS.
Because low-income settlements are unplanned, crowded and without sanitation, there are many viral infections that cause health problems.
Africa’s cities are melting pots of activity and interaction. There are fears that the continent’s next major modern disease crisis will emerge from them.
There is a high prevalence of the MERS virus in African camels. More research is key to understanding the virus better globally.
Contact Eric for
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- Location: Liverpool (UK) and Nairobi (Kenya)
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