---
title: "MERS-CoV Detected in Camels During 2025 Outbreak in Kazakhstan"
id: "cdc-emerging-infectious-diseases-journal-0-middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-in-camels-kazakhstan-2025"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/cdc-emerging-infectious-diseases-journal-0-middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-in-camels-kazakhstan-2025"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Infectious Disease"
source_name: "CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal"
source_url: "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/11/26-0394_article"
published_at: "2026-10-16T04:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Agency Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# MERS-CoV Detected in Camels During 2025 Outbreak in Kazakhstan
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/cdc-emerging-infectious-diseases-journal-0-middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-in-camels-kazakhstan-2025
- **Specialty:** [Infectious Disease](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/infectious-disease.md)
- **Primary Source:** CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/11/26-0394_article)
- **Published At:** 2026-10-16T04:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Agency Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Investigators investigated a late-November 2025 respiratory outbreak among camels in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan and collected samples during December 1–18, 2025. - The team sampled nasopharyngeal swabs from 38 symptomatic camels across multiple affected herds, representing ≈1.2% of the district’s registered camels. - All 38 swabs tested positive for **MERS-CoV** RNA by two qRT-PCR assays targeting upE and ORF1a; Ct ranges for upE were 23.14–33.09 (median 29.31) and for ORF1a 14.33–31.09 (median 25.89). - Follow-up sampling approximately four months later (14 camels) produced qRT-PCR–negative nasopharyngeal swabs; the source did not report follow-up serology results. - Additional molecular assays for influenza A and D, bovine paramyxovirus, and herpesviruses were negative in tested samples. - Sequencing: partial RdRp fragments were obtained from a subset; whole-genome sequence generated from one representative virus; complete spike gene sequences recovered from four outbreak-associated viruses. - Phylogenetic placement: the Kazakhstan whole-genome fell in clade **B5**, and spike sequences clustered within the **B5-2023.4** sublineage alongside contemporary camel viruses from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. - Spike protein substitutions P97L, G198D, and L495P were present and previously reported in B5-2023.4 viruses; L450F was not detected among publicly available genomes included in the analysis. - Recombination analysis identified two putative recombination events involving the Kazakhstan genome; one parental lineage could not be confidently assigned. - The authors reported no human MERS cases linked to this outbreak and emphasized the need for expanded, coordinated molecular surveillance and genomic monitoring across Central Asia. - The source did not provide detailed epidemiologic attack rates, demographic breakdowns of sampled animals beyond age groupings, or serologic follow-up data for the sampled camels.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
Early Release - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Camels, Kazakhstan, 2025 - Volume 32, Number 11—November 2026 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Emerging Infectious Disease journal ISSN: 1080-6059 Disclaimer: Early release articles are not considered as final versions. Any changes will be reflected in the online version in the month the article is officially released. Volume 32, Number 11—November 2026 Dispatch Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Camels, Kazakhstan, 2025 On This Page The Study Conclusions Suggested Citation Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Tables Table Downloads Appendix 1 Appendix 2 RIS [TXT - 2 KB] Article Metrics Metric Details Related Articles Streptococcus pyogenes and Toxic Shock Syndrome MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Immune Responses Global Genomic Surveillance of MERS-CoV More articles on Coronavirus, COVID-19 Aidyn Kydyrmanov 1 , Yermukhammet Kassymbekov, Sardor Nuralibekov, Temirlan Sabyrzhan, Yelizaveta Khan, Marat Kumar, Aigerim Abdimadiyeva, and Kobey Karamendin 1 Author affiliation: Research and Production Center for Microbiology and Virology, Almaty, Kazakhstan Suggested citation for this article Abstract In 2025, a respiratory disease outbreak occurred among camels in Kazakhstan. We detected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus by using quantitative reverse transcription PCR in 38 symptomatic camels, demonstrating active circulation in Central Asia. Our findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance to assess zoonotic transmission risk. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic betacoronavirus primarily found in dromedary camels and capable of causing severe respiratory disease in humans ( 1 – 3 ). MERS-CoV circulates widely in camel populations in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa ( 4 ), whereas data from Central Asia remain limited. In Kazakhstan, serologic investigations conducted in 2015 found no evidence of MERS-CoV infection in camelids ( 5 ). A study published in 2022, detected antibodies reactive to MERS or MERS-like coronaviruses in both Bactrian and dromedary camels, suggesting previous exposure without molecular evidence of active infection ( 6 ). Molecular testing of 48 asymptomatic camels sampled from the same population in 2020 was negative for MERS-CoV ( 7 ), and no viral RNA was detected in 13 samples collected from symptomatic camels in the same herd in 2023. In late November 2025, camel herders in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan reported a respiratory disease outbreak affecting multiple herds. We investigated whether MERS-CoV was circulating during that outbreak. The Study Figure 1 Figure 1 . Choropleth representation of camel density used in a study of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Camel sampling sites and areas with anecdotal reports of symptomatic camels are... The Mangystau region in southwestern Kazakhstan, which borders Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, contains approximately one third of the country’s camel population ( Figure 1 ). In western Kazakhstan, camel production primarily involves extensive pastoral and seminomadic systems with seasonal animal movement, mixed dromedary–Bactrian herds, and congregation at shared grazing areas and watering points, which might enable pathogen transmission between herds. The outbreak began in late November 2025, when temperatures were below freezing. Affected animals were predominantly dromedaries, although affected Bactrian camels were also found in mixed herds. Clinical signs included lacrimation, nasal discharge, and intermittent cough, which were observed in both juvenile and adult camels. Questionnaire data from camel breeders and veterinary practitioners, indicated similar respiratory disease in multiple areas of Mangystau region, and comparable signs were also reported by camel breeders in Turkistan region. During December 1–18, 2025, we collected nasopharyngeal swab samples from 38 symptomatic camels from multiple MERS-CoV–positive herds or households in different settlements within the rural district. That sampling accounted for ≈1.2% of the 3,190 camels registered in the affected rural district. We extracted viral RNA from the nasal swab samples and evaluated for MERS-CoV RNA by using 1-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) targeting the upstream envelope (upE) and open reading frame (ORF) 1a ( 8 , 9 ). All 38 samples tested positive for MERS-CoV RNA with both assays ( Table ). Cycle threshold (Ct) values for upE ranged from 23.14–33.09 (median 29.31), and for ORF1a ranged from 14.33–31.09 (median 25.89). Approximately 4 months after the outbreak, we collected follow-up nasopharyngeal swab and serum samples from 14 camels in previously affected herds; all nasopharyngeal swabs were MERS-CoV–negative by qRT-PCR. To evaluate potential causes of infection, we tested samples for influenza A and D viruses, bovine paramyxovirus, and herpesviruses by using molecular assays; all results were negative. Figure 2 Figure 2 . Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis of MERS-CoV detected in camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Complete genome sequences were aligned by using MAFFT version 7 ( https://mafft.cbrc.jp/alignment/software ). Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees were reconstructed in IQ-TREE... Figure 3 Figure 3 . Spike gene phylogenetic analysis of MERS-CoV detected in camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree inferred from full-length spike gene nucleotide sequences of representative MERS-CoV strains. Sequences were aligned by using... For molecular confirmation, we amplified partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene fragments from a subset of MERS-CoV–positive samples by using pancoronavirus RT-PCR assays ( 10 , 11 ), and sequenced selected amplicons. We performed whole-genome sequencing for 1 representative virus and obtained complete spike gene sequences from 4 outbreak-associated viruses. Our whole-genome phylogenetic analysis placed the Kazakhstan genome within clade B5, clustering with contemporary camel-derived viruses from Saudi Arabia and Egypt (2023–2024) ( Figure 2 ). Phylogenetic analysis of the 4 complete spike gene sequences placed the viruses from Kazakhstan within the recently described B5-2023.4 sublineage, forming a well-supported cluster with contemporary camel viruses from Saudi Arabia ( Figure 3 ). Comparison with recently available complete MERS-CoV genomes showed that the viruses from Kazakhstan shared spike protein substitutions P97L, G198D, and L495P with contemporary B5-2023.4 viruses, although we did not identify the L450F substitution among the publicly available genomes analyzed. Both L450F and L495P substitutions were located within the receptor-binding domain. We performed a recombination analysis by using Recombination Detection Program version 4.101 ( http://web.cbio.uct.ac.za/∼darren/rdp.html ), which identified 2 putative recombination events involving the Kazakhstan genome that were supported by multiple independent detection methods ( Appendix 1 ). The inferred recombinant regions overlapped those previously reported among contemporary B5 viruses from Saudi Arabia, and 1 inferred parental lineage could not be assigned with certainty ( Appendix 2 ). Our findings are consistent with the recurrent within-lineage recombination previously described ( 12 ). However, additional complete genome sequences are required to determine the frequency and evolutionary significance of those recombination events in Central Asia. Conclusions We provided molecular evidence of active MERS-CoV infection in camels in Kazakhstan, extending the documented geographic range of virus circulation into Central Asia. Earlier regional investigations detected serologic reactivity without RNA confirmation ( 6 ), and nationwide screening conducted during 2020–2021 did not find MERS-CoV antibodies in sampled camels ( 7 ). The detection of MERS-CoV RNA during the 2025 outbreak suggests active infection in camel populations in Kazakhstan. That detection also likely reflects targeted sampling of acutely symptomatic animals exhibiting extensive nasal discharge and coughing, with clinical signs occasionally linked to MERS-CoV, particularly in younger camels ( 9 ). We detected MERS-CoV RNA in both juvenile and adult camels. Although viral RNA is often detected more frequently in juveniles in endemic settings, adult camels remain susceptible to infection and reinfection, with differences in detection patterns likely reflecting levels of preexisting immunity and duration of viral shedding ( 13 ). The occurrence of infection across multiple age groups in this outbreak is consistent with active virus transmission within affected herds. Together, those findings indicate that active MERS-CoV infection occurs in camel populations in Kazakhstan and highlight the need for expanded surveillance to better define its epidemiology. Our whole-genome and spike gene phylogenetic analyses placed the viruses from Kazakhstan within the contemporary B5-2023.4 sublineage of MERS-CoV circulating among camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Previous studies have suggested enhanced replication and transmission fitness for some clade B MERS-CoV lineages from the Arabian Peninsula ( 14 ). Although the viruses from Kazakhstan clustered with contemporary Arabian B5 lineage viruses, the available genomic data do not permit inference of viral phenotype or transmissibility. Detection of a closely related lineage in a region with limited molecular evidence of active MERS-CoV circulation highlights the need for continued surveillance and genomic characterization. Our genomic analyses revealed that most spike protein substitutions identified in the viruses from Kazakhstan have previously been reported among contemporary B5-2023.4 viruses, whereas the L450F substitution was not identified among the publicly available genomes included in our analysis. Recombination analysis suggested 2 putative recombination events. However, the biologic and evolutionary implication of those findings require further investigation. Although the available sequence data do not permit determination of the geographic origin or directionality of virus movement, the Mangystau region lies within regional livestock movement networks connecting Central Asia with neighboring regions. Animal movement, livestock exchange, and increasing connectivity with the Arabian Peninsula might enable transboundary dissemination of zoonotic pathogens. Those findings highlight the need for coordinated surveillance and genomic monitoring of camel populations and exposed persons across Central Asia. The outbreak occurred during winter conditions, in contrast to seasonal peaks often reported in warmer months in endemic regions ( 15 ). Whether climatic conditions influence viral stability, host susceptibility, or transmission dynamics in temperate continental environments remain to be investigated. In conclusion, detection of active viral shedding in camels within a high-density livestock region bordering several countries emphasizes the potential for zoonotic spillover. No human MERS cases were identified in connection with the 2025 camelid outbreak in Kazakhstan. However, continued molecular surveillance and expanded genomic characterization of camel MERS-CoV are needed to better define viral diversity, transmission dynamics, and potential public health risks in the region. Dr. Kydyrmanov is head of the Laboratory for Ecology of Viruses at the Research and Production Center for Microbiology and Virology in Almaty, Kazakhstan. His research focuses on molecular surveillance of emerging respiratory viruses, zoonotic transmission, and the ecology of animal viruses in Central Asia. Top Acknowledgments We thank the regional veterinary services of Mangystau, especially veterinary practitioners Sadir Otesinov and Sattar Ozgan, for their support during field investigations, and the camel owners for their cooperation in reporting suspected cases and enabling sampling. This study was supported by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (grant no. AP23485202). Perplexity AI ( https://www.perplexity.ai ) was used to assist with searching for relevant references, while NotebookLM (https://notebook.google) was used for a preliminary review of relevant sources. ChatGPT 5.6 (OpenAI, https://chatgpt.com ) and Grammarly AI ( https://www.grammarly.com ) were used to edit and rephrase the text to improve English language quality. All scientific content, interpretations, and final wording were reviewed and approved by the authors. Top References Zaki AM , van Boheemen S , Bestebroer TM , Osterhaus ADME , Fouchier RAM . Isolation of a novel coronavirus from a man with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. N Engl J Med . 2012 ; 367 : 1814 – 20 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Corman VM , Ithete NL , Richards LR , Schoeman MC , Preiser W , Drosten C , et al. Rooting the phylogenetic tree of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus by characterization of a conspecific virus from an African bat. J Virol . 2014 ; 88 : 11297 – 303 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar World Health Organization . Disease outbreak news: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus—global update [ cited 2026 Feb 16 ]. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON591 Killerby ME , Biggs HM , Midgley CM , Gerber SI , Watson JT . Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus transmission. Emerg Infect Dis . 2020 ; 26 : 191 – 8 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Miguel E , Perera RA , Baubekova A , Chevalier V , Faye B , Akhmetsadykov N , et al. Absence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in camelids, Kazakhstan, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis . 2016 ; 22 : 555 – 7 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Orynbayev MB , Hitch AT , Kerimbayev AA , Nissanova RK , Sultankulova KT , Rystayeva RA , et al. Serological exposure in Bactrian and dromedary camels in Kazakhstan to a MERS or MERS-like coronavirus. Transbound Emerg Dis . 2022 ; 69 : e1374 – 81 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Karamendin K , Seidalina A , Sabyrzhan T , Nuralibekov S , Kasymbekov Y , Suleimenova S , et al. Serological screening for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and hepatitis E virus in camels in Kazakhstan. Pathogens . 2022 ; 11 : 1224 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Corman VM , Eckerle I , Bleicker T , Zaki A , Landt O , Eschbach-Bludau M , et al. Detection of a novel human coronavirus by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Euro Surveill . 2012 ; 17 : 20285 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar World Organisation for Animal Health . Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for terrestrial animals. Middle East respiratory syndrome (infection of dromedary camels with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) [ cited 2026 Feb 16 ]. https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals Dominguez SR , O’Shea TJ , Oko LM , Holmes KV . Detection of group 1 coronaviruses in bats in North America. Emerg Infect Dis . 2007 ; 13 : 1295 – 300 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Lelli D , Papetti A , Sabelli C , Rosti E , Moreno A , Boniotti MB . Detection of coronaviruses in bats of various species in Italy. Viruses . 2013 ; 5 : 2679 – 89 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Hassan AM , Mühlemann B , Al-Subhi TL , Rodon J , El-Kafrawy SA , Memish Z , et al. Ongoing evolution of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, 2023–2024. Emerg Infect Dis . 2025 ; 31 : 57 – 65 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Hemida MG , Alnaeem A , Chu DKW , Perera RAPM , Chan SMB , Almathen F , et al. Longitudinal study of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in dromedary camel herds in Saudi Arabia, 2014–2015. Emerg Microbes Infect . 2017 ; 6 : e56 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Rodon J , Mykytyn AZ , Te N , Okba NMA , Lamers MM , Pailler-García L , et al. Extended viral shedding of MERS-CoV clade B virus in llamas compared with African clade C strain. Emerg Infect Dis . 2023 ; 29 : 585 – 9 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Rabaan AA , Al-Ahmed SH , Sah R , Alqumber MA , Haque S , Patel SK , et al. MERS-CoV: epidemiology, molecular dynamics, therapeutics, and future challenges. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob . 2021 ; 20 : 8 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar Top Figures Figure 1 . Choropleth representation of camel density used in a study of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Camel sampling sites and areas with anecdotal reports of symptomatic camels... Figure 2 . Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis of MERS-CoV detected in camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Complete genome sequences were aligned by using MAFFT version 7 (https://mafft.cbrc.jp/alignment/software). Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees were reconstructed in IQ-TREE (https://iqtree.github.io)... Figure 3 . Spike gene phylogenetic analysis of MERS-CoV detected in camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree inferred from full-length spike gene nucleotide sequences of representative MERS-CoV strains. Sequences were aligned by... Appendix 1 . Appendix 2 . Table Table . Results of quantitative reverse transcription PCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples positive for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Kazakhstan, 2025 Top Suggested citation for this article : Kydyrmanov A, Kassymbekov Y, Nuralibekov S, Sabyrzhan T, Khan Y, Kumar M, et al. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in camels, Kazakhstan, 2025. Emerg Infect Dis. 2026 Nov [ date cited ]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3211.260394 DOI: 10.3201/eid3211.260394 Original Publication Date: October 16, 2026 1 These authors contributed equally to this work and share first and last authorship. Table of Contents – Volume 32, Number 11—November 2026 EID Search Options Advanced Article Search – Search articles by author and/or keyword. Articles by Country Search – Search articles by the topic country. Article Type Search – Search articles by article type and issue. Top Comments Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address: Aidyn Kydyrmanov, Laboratory for Ecology of Viruses, Research and Production Center for Microbiology and Virology, 105 Bogenbai Batyr St, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan Return Address Send To Send To Authors Editors Comments 10000 character(s) remaining. Comment submitted successfully, thank you for your feedback. There was an unexpected error. Message not sent. Top Page created: August 17, 2026 Page updated: October 16, 2026 Page reviewed: October 16, 2026 The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above. file_external Metric Details × Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Camels, Kazakhstan, 2025 Volume 32, Number 11—November 2026 Article Views: 15 Data is collected weekly and does not include downloads and attachments. View data is from . Time period First 3 Months Last 3 Months Last Year Last 2 Years All Data Altmetrics Click a source for Altmetric details What is the Altmetric Attention Sco
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