Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) is a type of coronavirus. It was first found in 2012.

MERS-CoV can cause serious respiratory infections. MERS-CoV differs from other coronaviruses, like SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

Who is at risk?

MERS represents a low risk to the general public in the United States.

You’re more likely to be at risk if you travel to or live in the Middle East. But it’s also possible for people outside the region to get MERS-CoV if they are or were around someone who has it.

What to do if you feel sick

How it spreads

MERS can spread from one person to another. This type of spread is most common in health care settings or within households.

The virus can also spread from camels to people through direct physical contact (including touching or grooming).

There are no signs of this virus spreading on a large scale in communities.

Guidance to protect your health

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No need to change plans

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not advise changing travel plans because of MERS. Most MERS cases involve health care workers and those close to people who are infected.

If you have concerns, talk with your health care provider about your travel plans.

Take preventative measures

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before and after touching camels. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your face. Germs can spread when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Stay away from people who are sick. Limit close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid drinking raw camel milk or camel urine or eating meat (including camel meat) that has not been properly cooked.
No vaccine exists to protect people against MERS. You should still make sure you're up to date on your vaccinations before travel. Check with your health care provider four to six weeks before travel.
Visit the CDC's Travelers' Health website for more information on healthy travel.

Signs and symptoms

Most people with MERS have had severe respiratory illness. Symptoms usually appear five or six days after a person is exposed. But symptoms can appear as early as two days and up to 14 days after exposure. Common symptoms of MERS include:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

Review CDC's recommendations for infection control of confirmed or suspected MERS cases.
Diagnostic Testing for MERS (CDC)
Communicable Disease Manual (DPH)

Feeling sick?

If you traveled to or from the Arabian Peninsula in the last 14 days, or if you had close contact with a traveler:

Monitor your health for 14 days after travel or from the time you had close contact with a traveler.
If you develop a fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath:
- Contact your health care provider. Mention your recent travel or contact with a traveler.
- Stay home from school/work to prevent spreading illness to others.

Close contact means being within 6 feet of a person who is sick for an extended time without a mask or other personal protective equipment. Brief interactions, like walking by someone, are low risk and do not count as close contact.

Countries considered in or near the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain; Iraq; Iran; Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Syria; the United Arab Emirates (UAE); and Yemen.