Potential pandemic pathogens series: MERS virus

In the last two years we have experienced the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in our lives and hospitals. Pandemics are part of the history of humanity and we can be certain that in the future new pandemics will appear. In fact, due to the growth in the human population, increased travel and global warming, it is to be expected that new pandemic pathogens will arise more frequently than before. Additionally, decreased barriers between animals and humans will give rise to spillover events, which will result in the introduction of new zoonotic pathogens in humans. In each of the parts of this series we will, in a short format, highlight a potential pandemic pathogen and describe its characteristics, history and potential for global pandemics. This part of the series focusses on MERS-CoV infection which, up until now, has been fairly contained in a small part of the world but definitely has traits that make it a pathogen to watch. As in previous parts of this series, we will highlight its clinical picture and explain why it should not be underestimated.

Potential pandemic pathogens series: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

In the last two years we have experienced the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in our lives and hospitals. Pandemics are part of the history of humanity and we can be certain that in the future new pandemics will appear. In fact, due to the growth in the human population, increased travel and global warming, it is to be expected that new pandemic pathogens will arise more frequently than before. Additionally, decreased barriers between animals and humans will give rise to spillover events, which will result in the introduction of new zoonotic pathogens in humans. In each of the parts of this series we will, in a short format, highlight a potential pandemic pathogen and describe its characteristics, history and potential for global pandemics. This part of the series focusses on the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a tick-borne disease, which is generally found in workers at farms and slaughterhouses and sometimes causes small outbreaks in families or hospital personal, as it can be spread by body fluids. Symptoms are unspecific, including myalgia, headache and fever. The disease course is often mild, but in patients who develop a haemorrhagic phase, the fatality rate is high. Treatment is primarily supportive but antiviral therapy including favipiravir and ribavirin are under investigation.