Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS‑CoV) causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a zoonotic respiratory virus. Dromedary camels serve as its primary host, and human-to-human transmission is limited and occurs only through close contact. Nosocomial clusters of infection pose a relatively high risk.
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days, and clinical manifestations vary greatly. Some infected individuals have mild or even no symptoms. Typical patients develop acute onset of high fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, often accompanied by myalgia and fatigue. Some patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. Those with rapidly progressing illness may develop severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), complicated by multiple organ failure. The elderly, people with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory diseases and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop severe disease, with a relatively high overall case fatality rate.
At present, no approved vaccines or specific antiviral drugs are available. Clinical treatment relies mainly on symptomatic and supportive care. Suspected or confirmed cases shall be isolated as early as possible. Vital signs are closely monitored, and oxygen therapy, respiratory support, organ function maintenance and prevention of secondary infection are provided according to disease severity.
Prevention and control cover source management and personal protection. For animal sources, avoid contact with dromedary camels and their secretions or excreta in the Middle East, and do not consume undercooked camel milk or camel meat. Entry screening focuses on travellers returning from the Middle East. Patients with fever and respiratory symptoms shall receive timely screening. Medical institutions shall implement hospital infection control measures, maintain hand hygiene and respiratory protection, and standardise isolation ward management to prevent hospital transmission. The general public should maintain good hygiene habits, take personal protective measures when visiting endemic areas, and reduce close contact with febrile patients. People who develop fever or cough with relevant exposure history should seek medical care promptly and actively inform clinicians of their travel and contact history.
