REVIEW VIRAL ZOONOSES AND HEMORRHAGIC FEVER: EVIDENCE AND SPECULATIONS FROM SAUDI ARABIA PERSPECTIVE

Ahmed Al-Hakami1,2,4, Harish C Chandromoorthy1,2,4, Abdullah M Alkahtani1,4 and BR Mirdha1,3

Abstract

Viral zoonoses are some of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality, with epidemiological differences in patterns of these diseases in dif-ferent geographical regions, and some of these zoonoses remaining as “endemic zoonoses”. Certain viral zoonoses are endemic and unique to Saudi Arabia and can be attributed to large number of reservoir animals and arthropods, regular influx of expatriate workforce from different countries, and yearly, large mass religious gathering for the Hajj. An analysis of the published epidemiologic studies of zoonotic and vector-borne viral infections that have occurred in Saudi Arabia was conducted to present a descriptive analysis of such diseases with a particular emphasis on influenza, MERS-CoV and viral hemorrhagic fevers such as dengue, Alkhurma, Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and the recent reports of vCJD. The inevitable risk of infection can be minimized and the outbreak of disease can be contained by increasing public awareness of sources and modes of transmission of these diseases. In addition, better diagnostics can improve early diagnosis, helping to reduce spread of the disease and related morbidity and mortality in the region.