What is the MERS virus?

MERS is a coronavirus. There are various coronaviruses that can cause respiratory infections in humans. Examples include SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Although the MERS virus is very rare, an infection can cause very serious symptoms.

How does MERS spread?

The MERS virus is found in dromedaries in the Middle East.  The virus can be transferred during contact with these animals.

People can also pass on the virus to others through coughing and sneezing, but this hardly ever happens. The highest risk of human-to-human transmission is in hospital.

The incubation period between exposure and illness is 2 to 14 days.

What are the symptoms of MERS?

A person with MERS develops symptoms such as:

• fever
• coughing
• difficulty breathing
• diarrhoea (sometimes)

These are also common symptoms of other diseases, so they do not necessarily mean that you have MERS. Have you been to the Middle East and had direct contact with dromedaries, or were you admitted to hospital while you were there? And did you develop these symptoms while travelling, or within two weeks after returning home? Then there is a minor risk that you might have MERS. Contact your GP if that happens.

Some people can develop very severe respiratory symptoms caused by MERS. This is called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Patients with ARDS must be admitted to hospital.

Who can become very ill from MERS?

Some people may become more seriously ill from MERS:

• older people (over 70)
• people with impaired immunity who have less effective resistance to disease
• people with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or lung or kidney disease
• babies born too early (preterm)

Other people can also contract MERS, but their symptoms are often less severe.

How can I prevent MERS?

Are you planning to travel to the Middle East? Ensure good hygiene and stay away from people and animals (especially dromedaries) who are ill. Do not eat raw meat or drink raw milk.

Is there any treatment for MERS?

Patients with severe respiratory symptoms caused by the MERS virus must be admitted to hospital. These patients will receive care in isolation until one day after the symptoms are gone.

How common is MERS? 

In 2012, the MERS virus caused an outbreak in various Middle Eastern countries and in South Korea.  Only a few cases of this disease have been reported worldwide in the past five years, mainly in Saudi Arabia.

MERS is not found in the Netherlands.