Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)
Health Issue
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a moderate to severe, and sometimes fatalacute respiratory illness that was first reported in 2012. The disease is caused by MERS-CoV, a member of the coronavirus family, which also includes the virus that caused the SARS epidemic in 2009. Human to human transmission of the infection takes place through close contact with infected persons. The flu-like symptoms of this disease include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of this type should be confirmed by laboratory tests, in cases with relevant travel history, exposure to animals, or contact with sick persons.
Recent News Articles
WHO: Upsurge in MERS Corona Virus Due to Warmer Weather
Lisa Schlein, Voice of America, April 30, 2014
MERS virus from camels and humans called indistinguishable.
If infections were coming directly from camels, more disease would be expected in workers
Kas Roussy, CBC News, Apr 29, 2014
MERS virus: Saudi Arabia reports 8 more deaths.
Expert says increase in cases could be due to infection control problems at hospitals
The Associated Press, Apr 27, 2014
Canada on the lookout as exported MERS cases ‘very likely’
Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press, Apr 25, 2014
MERS virus outbreak raising SARS-like concern.
Confirmed cases hit 290, according to World Health Organization
The Canadian Press, Apr 19, 2014
Useful Links
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO Risk Assessment, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV)
European Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Severe respiratory disease associated with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Ninth update, 24 April 2014
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC - Coronavirus - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Further Reading
- Watson JT, Hall AJ, Erdman DD, Swerdlow DL, Gerber SI. Unraveling the mysteries of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2014 Jun;20(6).
- Assiri A, A Al-Tawfiq J, A Al-Rabeeah A, A Al-Rabiah F, Al-Hajjar S, Al-Barrak A, et al. Epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 47 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease from Saudi Arabia: a descriptive study. The Lancet. 2013 July.
- Memish ZA, Zumla Al, Assiri A. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections in health care workers. NEJM. 2013 Aug.
- Assiri, A, McGeer, A, Perl T, Price C, Al Rabeeah A, Cummings D, et al. for the KSA MERS-CoV Investigation Team. Hospital Outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. NEJM. 2013 Jun.
- Penttinen PM, Kaasik-Aaslav K, Friaux A, Donachie A, Sudre B, Amato-Gauci AJ, et al. Taking stock of the first 133 MERS coronavirus cases globally - Is the epidemic changing?
 Euro Surveill. 2013;18(39):pii=20596
- The Health Protection Agency (HPA) UK Novel Coronavirus Investigation team. Evidence of person-to-person transmission within a family cluster of novel coronavirus infections, United Kingdom, February 2013. Euro Surveill. 2013;18(11):pii=20427.
- Danielsson N, on behalf of the ECDC Internal Response Team, Catchpole M. Novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory disease: case definition and public health measures. Euro Surveill. 2012:17(39):pii=20282.
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