RAPID: Conduct studies to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of MVA-MERS-S vaccines in the camel - Subproject G

he Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory infections. The pathogen was discovered in 2012 during a fatal viral pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. Specific treatment options do not yet exist. Up to 30 percent of those infected die. The infection is usually rare. It is usually acquired through contact with dromedaries, which are one of the main livestock in the Middle East and parts of Africa. However, human-to-human transmission does occur and then leads to major outbreaks. The virus is so far not well adapted to humans as hosts. However, mutations that could cause a higher risk of infection and subsequently a pandemic are feared. MERS-CoV is therefore currently one of the most threatening, so-called "pre-pandemic" infectious agents. For efficient control of pre-pandemic pathogens, it is essential that the public health service arrives at solid assessments of outbreak progress. The research consortium therefore aims to use the example of MERS-CoV to address constraints and research questions for the public health service. In particular, approaches are to be developed that enable science and public health to detect the outbreak of pre-pandemic viruses earlier and to prevent their transformation into pandemic pathogens. In addition, work is to be done on a vaccine for host animals and humans in cooperation with partners in Saudi Arabia. The network is part of the National Research Network on Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. In particular, the "One Health" approach (simultaneous consideration of human and veterinary aspects) and the transfer of results into the application of the public health service are being pursued