This white paper was initially posted in June 2014 and has been updated as of June 2022.
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) virus was first identified in Saudi Arabia as a novel coronavirus in 2012 causing severe respiratory illness in persons in the Middle East. MERS-CoV is highly virulent and about one-third of known infected individuals die from the infection. This white paper provides guidance for identification of the MERS-CoV. The updated version includes additional background information, current specimen collection, testing, reporting and biosafety guidance.
Contact Information
ASM's Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee, clinmicro@asmusa.org