Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
MERS Monthly Summary, November 2019
At the end of November 2019, a total of 2494 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 858 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 34.4%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (2102 cases, including 780 related deaths with a case–fatality rate of 37.1%).
MERS Global Summary and Assessment of Risk
2 August 2019 - Overall, the epidemiology, transmission patterns, clinical presentation of MERS patients and viral characteristics reported since the last update are consistent with past patterns described in previous WHO risk assessments: MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus that has repeatedly entered the human population via direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Limited, non-sustained human-to-human transmission mainly in health care settings continues to occur, primarily in Saudi Arabia. The risk of exported cases to areas outside of the Middle East due to travel remains significant.
Worldwide reduction in MERS cases and deaths since 2016
8 July 2019 - WHO and colleagues from the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and Institut Pasteur have estimated that, since 2016, 1,465 cases of Middle East Respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and between 300 and 500 deaths may have been averted due to accelerated global efforts to detect infections early and reduce transmission.
Disease Commodity Package for MERS-CoV
March 2019 - WHO has designed the Disease Commodity Packages (DCPs) - a series of disease specific datasheets that list the critical commodities and the technical specifications for each commodity per disease. The DCPs inform Member States and operational partners of commodity requirements and potential gaps in the health emergency supply chain. From an operational readiness perspective, the DCPs provide the basis for a globalized stockpile system, response planning, technical guidance and supply market assessments.
MERS therapeutics and vaccines workshop
13 February 2019 - On November 30 2018, the WHO R&D; Blueprint and Global Program on MERS convened a group of experts to discuss methodological issues and agree a priori on principles in the design, conduct and analysis of Phase2b/Phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate MERS-CoV therapeutics and vaccines, based on key epidemiological considerations and driven by treatment and vaccine needs from a public health perspective.
Pool of MERS experts for deployment established by WHO
From 23 to 25 October, 60 high-level public health and MERS practitioners, researchers, and experts met in Abu Dhabi to establish a pool of experts that can be deployed rapidly during any future outbreaks of MERS.
Despite the substantial response to MERS by national health authorities, WHO, and partners in all affected and at-risk countries, the number of senior technically trained regional experts on MERS remains limited while the need for such expertise has grown. With this three-day workshop, WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean aimed to expand the pool of MERS experts that can be deployed rapidly during any future outbreaks, in the Region and globally.
FAO, OIE, WHO on MERS: Progress on the global response, remaining challenges and the way forward
26 September 2018 - In September 2017, FAO, OIE and WHO brought together affected member states, public health and animal officials, and academics to discuss what is known and unknown about the zoonotic origin of MERS-CoV.
The recently published meeting report summarizes how focused efforts in activities and investments to address scientific and public health research questions, accelerate promising medical interventions and a more strategic on where activities are conducted globally will go further to address remaining public health unknowns.
fact buffet
2 494Since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 2494 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV.
For more: MERS Situation Updates858858 MERS-CoV associated deaths have occurred since September 2012.
For more: Coronavirus infections news27Since September 2012, 27 countries have reported cases of MERS-CoV
For more: Fact sheet on MERS-CoVUpdates on MERS-CoV
- Disease outbreak news
- Fact sheet on MERS-CoV
- Frequently asked questions
- Press releases
- Briefing notes
- News archive
Latest regional update for MERS-CoV
Key guidance documents
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Disease Commodity Package for MERS-CoV
pdf, 234kb
March 2019 -
Revised case definition for reporting to WHO - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
26 July 2017 -
Laboratory testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
30 January 2018 -
MERS-CoV initial interview questionnaire of cases
pdf, 591kb - Online course for MERS-CoV in English and French
All technical guidance by topic
Risk assessments
- FAO, OIE, WHO on MERS: Progress on the global response, remaining challenges and the way forward
- Risk assessment guidelines for infectious diseases transmitted on aircraft (RAGIDA) - MERS-CoV
Multimedia
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Qatar
26 December 2019 -
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
18 December 2019 -
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
5 December 2019 -
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The United Arab Emirates
31 October 2019
Maps and epicurves
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Epicurve of confirmed global cases of MERS-CoV
png, 208kb
16 July 2019 -
MERS-CoV transmission and geographic range
jpg, 1.67Mb
19 January 2018
Research and Development
Emergency Committee on MERS-CoV
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WHO statement on the tenth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding MERS
3 September 2015 -
WHO statement on the ninth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding MERS-CoV
17 June 2015 - Read about the IHR Emergency Committee on MERS-CoV
- Read more on general information on IHR Emergency Committee