MERS-CoV worldwide overview
Situation update, 3 April 2024
Since the disease was first identified in Saudi Arabia in April 2012, over 2 600 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been detected in 27 countries. In Europe, eight countries have reported confirmed cases, all with direct or indirect connections to the Middle East. The majority of MERS-CoV cases continue to be reported from the Middle East. The source of the virus remains unknown, but the pattern of transmission and virological studies point to dromedary camels in the Middle East as a reservoir from which humans sporadically become infected through zoonotic transmission. Secondary human-to-human transmission has occurred, particularly within households and in healthcare settings.
: Since the beginning of 2024, and as of 3 April, no MERS-CoV cases have been reported by WHO or national health authorities. The last reported case was in Saudi Arabia, with date of onset on 26 October 2023.
Distribution of confirmed MERS-CoV cases
Graph
Confirmed cases of MERS-CoV by place of infection and month of onset, March 2012 to March 2024
Since the beginning of 2024, and as of 3 April, no MERS-CoV cases have been reported by WHO or national health authorities. The last reported case was in Saudi Arabia, with date of onset on 26 October 2023.
Map
Geographical distribution of confirmed MERS-CoV cases by country of infection and year, April 2012 to March 2024
Since the beginning of 2024, and as of 3 April, no MERS-CoV cases have been reported by WHO or national health authorities. The last reported case was in Saudi Arabia, with date of onset on 26 October 2023.