MERS-CoV Detected in Symptomatic Camels in Kazakhstan Outbreak

Researchers investigated a respiratory disease outbreak reported among camels in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region in late November 2025. From December 1–18, they collected nasopharyngeal swabs from 38 symptomatic camels in affected herds and tested them using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. All 38 samples were positive for MERS-CoV RNA using two molecular targets. Testing for several other viruses was negative.

About four months later, follow-up swabs from 14 camels in previously affected herds were negative for MERS-CoV RNA. Sequencing placed one complete viral genome and four spike-gene sequences in the B5-2023.4 sublineage, clustering with contemporary camel viruses from Saudi Arabia. Analyses also suggested two putative recombination events, but their significance is uncertain.

The findings provide molecular evidence of active MERS-CoV circulation in camels in Central Asia. Because sampling focused on symptomatic animals and covered only about 1.2% of camels registered in the affected district, the study does not establish prevalence or quantify transmission risk to humans. The authors call for expanded surveillance and genomic characterization. The article is an early-release version and is not considered final.