MERS-CoV worldwide overview

Situation update, 3 February 2026

Since the previous update on 5 January 2026, and as of 3 February 2026, no new MERS cases have been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) or national health authorities. 

Since the beginning of 2026, and as of 3 February 2026, no MERS cases have been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) or national health authorities. Since April 2012, and as of 3 February 2026, a total of 2 647 MERS cases, including 959 deaths, have been reported by health authorities worldwide.

Distribution of confirmed MERS-CoV cases

ECDC assessment

Human cases of MERS continue to be reported in the Arabian Peninsula. However, the number of new cases detected and reported through surveillance has dropped to the lowest level since 2014. The probability of sustained human-to-human transmission among the general population in Europe remains very low and the impact of the disease in the general population is considered low. The current MERS situation poses a low risk to the EU/EEA, as stated in the Rapid Risk Assessment published by ECDC on 29 August 2018, which also provides details of the last person reported with the disease in Europe.