Re-emerging Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: The hibernating bat hypothesis.

Sir,

With bats as the likely reservoir[1] and camels as the likely intermediate host,[2] the human coronavirus Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused at least 356 fatalities,[3] since its isolation in 2012.

The spike in cases, observed in spring 2014[4] has repeated itself once again this year.[5] We hypothesize in this short letter that bat hibernation might be the reason behind this seasonal variation.

Like other temperate bats, bats of Saudi Arabia[6] hibernate in winter. These bats arouse in March when food is plentiful and the air temperature is warmer.[6] The emerging bat arouse very hungry and start feeding on palms and various crops leaving droppings or bat Gueno on these sites.

Here, we hypothesize that crops contaminated with bat feces might carry the virus and be responsible for the rising numbers of MERS-CoV cases in March and April. We also propose that the rise in temperature in the following months helps in controlling the spread of the virus. In the meantime, we urge affected countries to test emerging bats and their roosting sites for the MERS-CoV virus and to eradicate the bats if tested positive for the virus. On the other hand, if crops near bat roosting sites tested positive the public should be instructed to follow strict hygiene measures in handling fresh produce.