MERS

Key facts Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a rare disease. MERS is caused by a coronavirus (MERS‐CoV). MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. What is Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)? Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a rare disease. It causes bad respiratory (breathing) problems. MERS was first identified in 2012. MERS is caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV). Coronaviruses also cause: the common cold severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) COVID-19 MERS has infected more than 2,600 people worldwide. Of these, more than 935 people have died. Most cases have happened in Saudi Arabia. What are