Key facts

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness

The virus spreads from camels to people and some human-to-human transmission is possible, particularly in health care facilities

Typical symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath

As of May 2025 there have been 2,638 cases of the virus leading to 957 deaths

Most cases have occurred in countries around the Arabian Peninsula, with Saudi Arabia reporting around 80 per cent of cases

There is no vaccine available for MERS

Overview

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and people.

Most MERS cases have been detected in countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. However, the disease has been imported into other countries outside the region and then spread.…