Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

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Introduction

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory infection of humans and dromedary camels which is caused by a coronavirus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) have been confirmed by several studies to be the natural host and zoonotic source of the MERS-CoV infection in humans. Other species may be susceptible to infection with MERS-CoV. However, their epidemiological significance has not been proven.

MERS-CoV has been associated with mild upper respiratory signs in some dromedary camels. While the impact of MERS-CoV on animal health is very low, human infections has a significant public health impact.