Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a severe respiratory illness caused by a virus. It can cause pneumonia and organ failure. It often spreads in hospitals or to other people in the same household. It can also spread from camels to people.

Most cases of MERS happen in Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries. But there have been cases in other countries around the world.

Symptoms of Middle East respiratory syndrome

MERS symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

What causes Middle East respiratory syndrome?

MERS-CoV, a type of coronavirus, causes MERS. Coronaviruses also cause COVID-19 and common colds.

You can get MERS from contact with infected respiratory fluids, like mucus and spit (saliva). It can spread:

• Through close contact with someone who has it
• Through close contact with camels, like grooming
• From drinking raw camel milk or eating raw camel meat

It most commonly spreads in hospitals, through family members or through people who live in the same household.

Risk factors

You’re at a higher risk of MERS infection if you:

• Live in or have recently traveled to the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia and its surrounding countries) or another area where MERS is spreading
• Had close contact with someone with a confirmed MERS-CoV infection
• You’ve taken care of someone with MERS
• Have direct contact with camels or consume raw camel meat or milk

Complications of MERS

MERS is often severe, and complications are common. They include:

• Kidney failure
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory failure

You’re more likely to develop severe illness if you have:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung disease
• Conditions that weaken your immune system
• Diabetes

How doctors diagnose MERS

If you have respiratory symptoms and you live in or have traveled to an area where MERS spreads, a healthcare provider might test you for MERS. Tests could include:

• Sputum test
• Nasopharyngeal swab
• Bronchoscopy
• Blood tests

Not all labs do MERS-CoV testing. Your provider may send the samples to a specialized lab for diagnosis.

How is MERS treated?

There’s no treatment that gets rid of MERS. Your body has to fight it off on its own. If you’re severely ill and in the hospital, healthcare providers might give you:

• IV (intravenous) fluids
• Supplemental oxygen
• Mechanical ventilation

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should call your provider if you have symptoms of MERS and:

• You live in or have recently traveled to a place where it spreads, especially if you’re a healthcare worker or you’ve had contact with camels
• You’ve been in close contact with someone with MERS or someone who’s recently traveled to an area where it spreads

Your provider can let you know which precautions to take and severe symptoms to look out for.

What can I expect if I have Middle East respiratory syndrome?

If you have MERS, you should stay away from other people to prevent it from spreading. It can get worse quickly. Go to the hospital if your symptoms are severe. You might need to stay in the hospital to fully recover.

What’s the mortality rate?

About 1 in 3 people with MERS die from it. But experts aren’t sure if there are mild, undiagnosed cases. If so, that might lower the death rate.

Can MERS be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of catching and spreading MERS by:

• Washing your hands frequently
• Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoiding being around people when you’re sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces frequently
• Washing your hands after touching camels and avoiding contact with sick camels
• Not drinking unpasteurized camel milk or eating raw camel meat
• Avoiding contact with camels if you have a chronic health condition or compromised immune system

If you’re living with or caring for a person with MERS, health experts recommend additional precautions:

• Wear a face mask, gown and gloves (personal protective equipment) if you have contact with the person’s body fluids or secretions.
• Wear gloves when handling and washing dishes, towels, bedding and laundry. Wash your hands after removing your gloves.