Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Background

First identified in 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Symptoms include:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

Pneumonia is also a common symptom but is not always present.

The disease is more severe in older people and those with underlying disease. Case fatality is reported as approximately 35%.

The vast majority of MERS cases have been reported from the Arabian pennisula, but cases have also been found in other countries, including the UK. Following a single case in 2015, South Korea experienced a large outbreak associated with healthcare facilities.

The source of the virus is thought to be Arabian camels and no sustained human-to-human transmission has ever occurred. However, limited human-to-human transmission can occur if there's close contact to an infected patient and this has led to outbreaks in healthcare facilities.

Guidance

For all infection prevention and control guidance visit the A-Z ​pathogens section of the National Infection and Prevention Control Manual.

Publications

Read the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) rapid risk assessment on the ECDC website.