MERS-CoV Cases and Fatalities Confirmed in Saudi Arabia

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on August 27, 2021, between March and the end of July 2021, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported four additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including one associated death.

Since 2012, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reported 2,178 confirmed MERS-CoV cases with 810 related deaths.

The WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessments based on the latest available information. However, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the testing capacities for MERS-CoV have been severely affected in many countries since most of the resources are redirected to prevent and control the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia is working to increase the testing capacities for better detection of MERS-CoV infections.

Most MERS-CoV cases are related to contact with camels, says the U.S. CDC.

However, human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings has been associated with delays in recognizing the early symptoms of MERS-CoV infection, slow triage of suspected cases, and delays in implementing infection, prevention, and control measures.

As of August 30, 2021, the U.S. FDA has not Approved a MERS-CoV preventive vaccine. However, the FDA has Authorized a MERS-related diagnostic test.

There are active clinical trials focused on MERS-COV vaccine candidates listed on this Coronavirus Today page.