MERS Spotlight
MERS is an illness caused by a virus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). MERS affects the respiratory system. Most MERS patients developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Health officials first reported the disease in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. Through retrospective investigations, health officials later identified that the first known cases of MERS occurred in Jordan in April 2012. MERS-CoV has spread from people with the virus to others through close contact, such as caring for or living with an infected person.
2025
Early Release Ongoing Evolution of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, 2023–2024Ahmed M. Hassan et al. Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
2024
Biphasic MERS-CoV Incidence in Nomadic Dromedaries with Putative Transmission to Humans, Kenya, 2022–2023Brian Maina Ogoti et al. Volume 30, Number 3—March 2024
2023
MERS-CoV‒Specific T-Cell Responses in Camels after Single MVA-MERS-S VaccinationChristian Meyer zu Natrup et al. Volume 29, Number 6—June 2023 Extended Viral Shedding of MERS-CoV Clade B Virus in Llamas Compared with African Clade C Strain
Jordi Rodon et al. Volume 29, Number 3—March 2023
2022
Durable Vitality and Magical FormsByron Breedlove Volume 28, Number 5—May 2022
2021
Surface‒Aerosol Stability and Pathogenicity of Diverse Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Strains, 2012‒2018Neeltje van Doremalen et al. Volume 27, Number 12—December 2021 Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Camel Populations, Southern Jordan, 2014–2018
Peter Holloway et al. Volume 27, Number 9—September 2021 Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels, Tunisia
Simone Eckstein et al. Volume 27, Number 7—July 2021 Longevity of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Antibody Responses in Humans, Saudi Arabia
Abeer N. Alshukairi et al. Volume 27, Number 5—May 2021 Podcast Animal Reservoirs and Hosts for Emerging Alphacoronaviruses and Betacoronaviruses
Ria R. Ghai et al. Volume 27, Number 4—April 2021
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Low-Level Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus among Camel Handlers, Kenya, 2019
Peninah M. Munyua et al. Volume 27, Number 4—April 2021
2020
Small Particle Aerosol Exposure of African Green Monkeys to MERS-CoV as a Model for Highly Pathogenic Coronavirus InfectionAllison Totura et al. Volume 26, Number 12—December 2020 Lack of Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Poultry
David L. Suarez et al. Volume 26, Number 12—December 2020 Phylogenetic Analysis of MERS-CoV in a Camel Abattoir, Saudi Arabia, 2016–2018
Maged Gomaa Hemida et al. Volume 26, Number 12—December 2020 Surveillance and Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, March 2016–March 2019
Abdullah Alzahrani et al. Volume 26, Number 7—July 2020 Pharmacologic Treatments and Supportive Care for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Taylor Kain et al. Volume 26, Number 6—June 2020 Serologic Detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Functional Antibodies
Nisreen M.A. Okba et al. Volume 26, Number 5—May 2020 Etymologia: Coronavirus
Ronnie Henry Volume 26, Number 5—May 2020 Podcast Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Transmission
Marie E. Killerby et al. Volume 26, Number 2—February 2020
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Veiled Dangers in an Idyllic Setting
Byron Breedlove Volume 26, Number 2—February 2020 Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Death among 32 Patients with MERS-CoV Infection, Saudi Arabia
Khalid H. Alanazi et al. Volume 26, Number 1—January 2020
2019
MERS-CoV in Camels but Not Camel Handlers, Sudan, 2015 and 2017Elmoubasher Farag et al. Volume 25, Number 12—December 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Seropositivity in Camel Handlers and Their Families, Pakistan
Jian Zheng et al. Volume 25, Number 12—December 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, 2017–2018
Ahmed Hakawi et al. Volume 25, Number 11—November 2019 Sensitive and Specific Detection of Low-Level Antibody Responses in Mild Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections
Nisreen M.A. Okba et al. Volume 25, Number 10—October 2019 Comparison of Serologic Assays for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Ruth Harvey et al. Volume 25, Number 10—October 2019 Transmissibility of MERS-CoV Infection in Closed Setting, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2015
Maria D. Van Kerkhove et al. Volume 25, Number 10—October 2019 Sequential Emergence and Wide Spread of Neutralization Escape Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Mutants, South Korea, 2015
Yeon-Sook Kim et al. Volume 25, Number 6—June 2019 Genetic Characterization of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, South Korea, 2018
Yoon-Seok Chung et al. Volume 25, Number 5—May 2019 Risk Factors for MERS-CoV Seropositivity among Animal Market and Slaughterhouse Workers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2014–2017
Ahmed Khudhair et al. Volume 25, Number 5—May 2019 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection Dynamics and Antibody Responses among Clinically Diverse Patients, Saudi Arabia
Hail M. Al-Abdely et al. Volume 25, Number 4—April 2019 Survey on Implementation of One Health Approach for MERS-CoV Preparedness and Control in Gulf Cooperation Council and Middle East Countries
Elmoubasher Abu Baker Farag et al. Volume 25, Number 3—March 2019 Epidemiology of Imported Infectious Diseases, China, 2005–2016
Yali Wang et al. Volume 25, Number 1—January 2019
2018
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Antibodies in Dromedary Camels, Bangladesh, 2015Ariful Islam et al. Volume 24, Number 5—May 2018
2017
US Federal Travel Restrictions for Persons with Higher-Risk Exposures to Communicable Diseases of Public Health ConcernLaura A. Vonnahme et al. Volume 23, Supplement—December 2017 Conveyance Contact Investigation for Imported Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Cases, United States, May 2014
Susan A. Lippold et al. Volume 23, Number 9—September 2017 MERS-CoV Antibody Responses 1 Year after Symptom Onset, South Korea, 2015
Pyoeng Gyun Choe et al. Volume 23, Number 7—July 2017 Domestic Pig Unlikely Reservoir for MERS-CoV
Emmie de Wit et al. Volume 23, Number 6—June 2017 Hospital Outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Daejeon, South Korea, 2015
Jung Wan Park et al. Volume 23, Number 6—June 2017 Surveillance and Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, April 2015–February 2016
Abdulaziz A. Bin Saeed et al. Volume 23, Number 4—April 2017 Serologic Evidence for MERS-CoV Infection in Dromedary Camels, Punjab, Pakistan, 2012–2015
Muhammad Saqib et al. Volume 23, Number 3—March 2017 Livestock Susceptibility to Infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Júlia Vergara-Alert et al. Volume 23, Number 2—February 2017
2016
Time Course of MERS-CoV Infection and Immunity in Dromedary CamelsBenjamin Meyer et al. Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 Exposures among MERS Case-Patients, Saudi Arabia, January–February 2016
Raafat Alhakeem et al. Volume 22, Number 11—November 2016 Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Healthcare Personnel
Basem M. Alraddadi et al. Volume 22, Number 11—November 2016 Persistence of Antibodies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Daniel C. Payne et al. Volume 22, Number 10—October 2016 Viral RNA in Blood as Indicator of Severe Outcome in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection
So Yeon Kim et al. Volume 22, Number 10—October 2016 Estimation of Severe Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Cases in the Middle East, 2012–2016
Justin J. O’Hagan et al. Volume 22, Number 10—October 2016 Pandemic
Jennifer B. Nuzzo Volume 22, Number 10—October 2016 Contact Tracing for Imported Case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, China, 2015
Min Kang et al. Volume 22, Number 9—September 2016 Feasibility of Using Convalescent Plasma Immunotherapy for MERS-CoV Infection, Saudi Arabia
Yaseen M. Arabi et al. Volume 22, Number 9—September 2016 Toward Developing a Preventive MERS-CoV Vaccine—Report from a Workshop Organized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health and the International Vaccine Institute, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 14–15, 2015
Jean-Louis Excler et al. Volume 22, Number 8—August 2016 Development of Medical Countermeasures to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Timothy M. Uyeki et al. Volume 22, Number 7—July 2016 Response to Emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013–2014
Farida Ismail Al Hosani et al. Volume 22, Number 7—July 2016 MERS-CoV Antibodies in Humans, Africa, 2013–2014
Anne M. Liljander et al. Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016 Experimental Infection and Response to Rechallenge of Alpacas with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Gary Crameri et al. Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016 Antibody Response and Disease Severity in Healthcare Worker MERS Survivors
Abeer N. Alshukairi et al. Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016 MERS-CoV Infection of Alpaca in a Region Where MERS-CoV is Endemic
Chantal B.E.M. Reusken et al. Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016 Infection, Replication, and Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Alpacas
Danielle R. Adney et al. Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016 Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome at Tertiary Care Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2014
Deborah L. Hastings et al. Volume 22, Number 5—May 2016 Exportations of Symptomatic Cases of MERS-CoV Infection to Countries outside the Middle East
Cristina Carias et al. Volume 22, Number 4—April 2016 Deletion Variants of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus from Humans, Jordan, 2015
Mart M. Lamers et al. Volume 22, Number 4—April 2016 Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Healthcare Settings, Abu Dhabi
Jennifer C. Hunter et al. Volume 22, Number 4—April 2016 Absence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Camelids, Kazakhstan, 2015
Eve Miguel et al. Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 Association between Severity of MERS-CoV Infection and Incubation Period
Victor Virlogeux et al. Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus during Pregnancy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013
Asim Malik et al. Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 Microevolution of Outbreak-Associated Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, South Korea, 2015
Moon-Woo Seong et al. Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 Multifacility Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Taif, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah M. Assiri et al. Volume 22, Number 1—January 2016 Variations in Spike Glycoprotein Gene of MERS-CoV, South Korea, 2015
Dae-Won Kim et al. Volume 22, Number 1—January 2016 Objective Determination of End of MERS Outbreak, South Korea, 2015
Hiroshi Nishiura et al. Volume 22, Number 1—January 2016 Risk Factors for Primary Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Illness in Humans, Saudi Arabia, 2014
Basem M. Alraddadi et al. Volume 22, Number 1—January 2016
2015
Asymptomatic MERS-CoV Infection in Humans Possibly Linked to Infected Dromedaries Imported from Oman to United Arab Emirates, May 2015Zulaikha M. Al Hammadi et al. Volume 21, Number 12—December 2015 Characteristics of Traveler with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, China, 2015
Wen Da Guan et al. Volume 21, Number 12—December 2015 Kinetics of Serologic Responses to MERS Coronavirus Infection in Humans, South Korea
Wan Beom Park et al. Volume 21, Number 12—December 2015 Molecular Epidemiology of Hospital Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2014
Shamsudeen F. Fagbo et al. Volume 21, Number 11—November 2015 Association of Higher MERS-CoV Virus Load with Severe Disease and Death, Saudi Arabia, 2014
Daniel R. Feikin et al. Volume 21, Number 11—November 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 3 Persons, South Korea, 2015
Jeong-Sun Yang et al. Volume 21, Number 11—November 2015 Mortality Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak, South Korea, 2015
Maimuna S. Majumder et al. Volume 21, Number 11—November 2015 Laboratory Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, California, USA, 2013–2014
Mahtab Shahkarami et al. Volume 21, Number 9—September 2015 Follow-up of Contacts of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus–Infected Returning Travelers, the Netherlands, 2014
Madelief Mollers et al. Volume 21, Number 9—September 2015 Acute Respiratory Infections in Travelers Returning from MERS-CoV–Affected Areas
Matthew German et al. Volume 21, Number 9—September 2015 Occupational Exposure to Dromedaries and Risk for MERS-CoV Infection, Qatar, 2013–2014
Chantal B.E.M. Reusken et al. Volume 21, Number 8—August 2015 Human–Bat Interactions in Rural West Africa
Priscilla Anti et al. Volume 21, Number 8—August 2015 Evaluation of Patients under Investigation for MERS-CoV Infection, United States, January 2013–October 2014
Eileen Schneider et al. Volume 21, Number 7—July 2015 Absence of MERS-Coronavirus in Bactrian Camels, Southern Mongolia, November 2014
Samuel M.S. Chan et al. Volume 21, Number 7—July 2015 MERS-CoV in Upper Respiratory Tract and Lungs of Dromedary Camels, Saudi Arabia, 2013–2014
Abdelmalik I. Khalafalla et al. Volume 21, Number 7—July 2015 Lack of Transmission among Close Contacts of Patient with Case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Imported into the United States, 2014
Lucy Breakwell et al. Volume 21, Number 7—July 2015 Acute Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in Livestock Dromedaries, Dubai, 2014
Sung Sup Park et al. Volume 21, Number 6—June 2015 Influenza A and B Viruses but Not MERS-CoV in Hajj Pilgrims, Austria, 2014
Judith H. Aberle et al. Volume 21, Number 4—April 2015 Lack of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Transmission from Infected Camels
Maged G. Hemida et al. Volume 21, Number 4—April 2015 Cluster of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Iran, 2014
Jila Yavarian et al. Volume 21, Number 2—February 2015 Serologic Assessment of Possibility for MERS-CoV Infection in Equids
Benjamin Meyer et al. Volume 21, Number 1—January 2015
2014
MERS Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibodies in Camels, Eastern Africa, 1983–1997Marcel A. Müller et al. Volume 20, Number 12—December 2014 Replication and Shedding of MERS-CoV in Upper Respiratory Tract of Inoculated Dromedary Camels
Danielle R. Adney et al. Volume 20, Number 12—December 2014 Health Care Worker Contact with MERS Patient, Saudi Arabia
Aron J. Hall et al. Volume 20, Number 12—December 2014 Family Cluster of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections, Tunisia, 2013
Fekri Abroug et al. Volume 20, Number 9—September 2014 Enhanced MERS Coronavirus Surveillance of Travelers from the Middle East to England
Helen Lucy Thomas et al. Volume 20, Number 9—September 2014 Geographic Distribution of MERS Coronavirus among Dromedary Camels, Africa
Chantal B.E.M. Reusken et al. Volume 20, Number 8—August 2014 Isolation of MERS Coronavirus from a Dromedary Camel, Qatar, 2014
V. Stalin Raj et al. Volume 20, Number 8—August 2014 Antibodies against MERS Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels, Kenya, 1992–2013
Victor M. Corman et al. Volume 20, Number 8—August 2014 Stability of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Milk
Neeltje van Doremalen et al. Volume 20, Number 7—July 2014 MERS Coronavirus in Dromedary Camel Herd, Saudi Arabia
Maged G. Hemida et al. Volume 20, Number 7—July 2014 MERS–Related Betacoronavirus in Vespertilio superans Bats, China
Li Yang et al. Volume 20, Number 7—July 2014 MERS Coronaviruses in Dromedary Camels, Egypt
Daniel K.W. Chu et al. Volume 20, Number 6—June 2014 Podcast Unraveling the Mysteries of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
John T. Watson et al. Volume 20, Number 6—June 2014
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Human Infection with MERS Coronavirus after Exposure to Infected Camels, Saudi Arabia, 2013
Ziad A. Memish et al. Volume 20, Number 6—June 2014 Contact Investigation for Imported Case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Germany
Annicka Reuss et al. Volume 20, Number 4—April 2014 Antibodies against MERS Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels, United Arab Emirates, 2003 and 2013
Benjamin Meyer et al. Volume 20, Number 4—April 2014 Lack of MERS Coronavirus but Prevalence of Influenza Virus in French Pilgrims after 2013 Hajj
Philippe Gautret et al. Volume 20, Number 4—April 2014 Novel Betacoronavirus in Dromedaries of the Middle East, 2013
Patrick C.Y. Woo et al. Volume 20, Number 4—April 2014 Replicative Capacity of MERS Coronavirus in Livestock Cell Lines
Isabella Eckerle et al. Volume 20, Number 2—February 2014
2013
Lack of MERS Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibodies in Humans, Eastern Province, Saudi ArabiaStefanie Gierer et al. Volume 19, Number 12—December 2013 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Bats, Saudi Arabia
Ziad A. Memish et al. Volume 19, Number 11—November 2013 Close Relative of Human Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Bat, South Africa
Ndapewa Laudika Ithete et al. Volume 19, Number 10—October 2013
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