Among dozens of cars and ATVs: this is what a camel race looks like in the Bedouin diaspora (Credit: MosheKozak)
There are not only Middle Eastern sensations in the current World Cup.
Scientists have warned that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar "inevitably poses a potential risk of infectious diseases".
While the main concerns in the country are, of course, corona and monkeypox, they have also issued a warning for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Between November 20 and December 18, 2022, around 1.5 million visitors from all continents will flock to Qatar to watch the 2022 World Cup in what is one of the biggest international events since the coronavirus pandemic.
Mass gatherings like these always pose some kind of infectious disease risk, but researchers in the new study published in the journal New Microbes and New Infections say the threat is especially high this year given the ongoing health crises around the world.
Along with warnings about corona and monkeypox, the researchers also highlight the threat of MERS that fans should be aware of in Qatar.
And if that research isn't enough, a recent report from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control also warned that "potential threats during the World Cup include Corona, MERS and monkeypox."
A real threat.
Camels (Photo: ShutterStock)
MERS is also caused by a corona virus.
Researchers believe the virus originated in bats, but camels are common reservoirs of the pathogen and are sometimes responsible for contracting symptoms similar to COVID-19, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.
MERS was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and has since caused 2,600 cases, with 935 associated deaths in 27 different countries.
Including Qatar, which has a population of 2.9 million and has seen 28 cases of MERS in total.
In 2022 alone, three cases were recorded.
It doesn't sound like much, but the researchers say people at risk of developing diseases, such as those with weak immune systems, should be aware of the risk and try to avoid any contact with camels.
"Epidemiological data from Qatar showed the occurrence of 28 cases of MERS (incidence of 1.7 per 1,000,000 population) and most cases had a history of contact with camels. Therefore, people at higher risk of developing severe disease are advised to avoid contact with camels, drinking raw camel milk or urine camels, or eat meat that is not properly cooked," wrote the authors of the study.
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camels
Corona
MERS
Monkey pox
FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2022
football