The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first discovered in 2012 in a patient who died from severe respiratory disease. Since then, and as of 16 January 2020, 2 521 cases have been reported worldwide, including 919 deaths (crude case fatality 36%). Most cases have been reported from the Arabian Peninsula (and around 84% specifically from Saudi Arabia), and all cases elsewhere had a travel history to the Arabian Peninsula or were a contact of someone who had a travel history to the region.