MERS-CoV worldwide overview

Since the disease was first identified in Saudi Arabia in April 2012, over 2 600 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been detected in 27 countries. In Europe, eight countries have reported confirmed cases, all with direct or indirect connections to the Middle East. The majority of MERS-CoV cases continue to be reported from the Middle East. The source of the virus remains unknown, but the pattern of transmission and virological studies point to dromedary camels in the Middle East as a reservoir from which humans sporadically become infected through zoonotic transmission. Secondary human-to-human transmission has occurred, particularly within households and in healthcare settings.

Since the previous update on 4 September 2023, no new MERS-CoV cases have been reported by WHO or national health authorities

Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 2 October 2023, two MERS-CoV cases have been reported with the date of onset in 2023 by United Arab Emirates (1) and Saudi Arabia (1).

Since April 2012, and as of 2 October 2023, a total of 2 617 cases of MERS-CoV, including 947 deaths, have been reported by health authorities worldwide.