An Expanding Cluster of MERS-CoV Cases in Italy



As of yesterday, three confirmed cases of MERS-CoV were reported in Italy.[1] Today, another 10+ asymptomatic cases have been reported by the media in Florence.[2-4] It is difficult to draw a conclusion from these media reports. 

Are these individuals actually positive for the MERS-CoV virus?

Is this a local coronavirus variant that is spreading from the initial index case in Italy?  

Does this indicate that MERS-CoV is actually a wide-spread coronavirus, a coronavirus with less virulence than expected?

More questions than answers now until official results are presented.


[1] http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_06_02_ncov/en/index.html

[2] http://www.giornalettismo.com/archives/964227/coronavirus-dieci-casi-positivi-di-nuova-sars-in-italia/    h/t tetano

[3] http://www.lastampa.it/2013/06/03/italia/cronache/nuova-sars-una-decina-di-pazienti-positivi-ai-controlli-ma-senza-sintomi-urVEjt40bOnIcV5Rn3BBNP/pagina.htmlh/t Giuseppe

[4] http://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/2013/3-giugno-2013/nuova-sars-si-attendono-risultati-tamponi-venticinque-persone-2221464294295.shtml  h/t Catbird

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