We determined the presence of neutralizing antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in persons in Qatar with and without dromedary contact. Antibodies were only detected in those with contact, suggesting dromedary exposure as a risk factor for infection. Findings also showed evidence for substantial underestimation of the infection in populations at risk in Qatar.
Keywords: MERS; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Qatar; camels; contact; coronavirus; dromedaries; epidemiology; exposure; infectious; risk; transmission; viruses; zoonoses.