MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia

The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reports that the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has confirmed 21 cases of MERS-CoV, including six deaths, between 1 January and 13 February 2020.

MERS-CoV is a serious respiratory infection with a high rate of fatalities. It is most common in Saudi Arabia where there are several cases each week.

The risk associated with MERS-CoV to the general UK population and travellers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low.

Information and advice is available on the TRAVAX (for travel health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites, while further guidance is available on the HPS website.

Source: TRAVAX, 14 February 2020