Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (2012)

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first identified in September 2012 in Saudi Arabia.

Most people infected with MERS-CoV developed severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

CDC worked with the World Health Organization and other partners to better understand the risks of the virus, including the source, how it spreads, and how to prevent infections.