EPI-WIN digest 20 - Understanding and implementing WHO’s MERS-CoV investigation protocols​

Overview

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), first identified in 2012, is an emerging zoonotic virus with significant epidemic and pandemic potential. Dromedary camels have been identified as the animal reservoir for MERS-CoV. The emergence of this new virus has highlighted the need to understand its transmission patterns, severity, clinical features, and risk factors for infection. To address these critical unknowns, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed several MERS-CoV investigation protocols. The data collected through these protocols will be essential to refine recommendations for case definitions and surveillance, characterize key epidemiological features of MERS-CoV, understand the geographical extent of its circulation in humans and camels, its severity, the spectrum of human disease, and its impact on communities. The findings will also guide the application of countermeasures such as case isolation and contact tracing.

For further information, please watch the EPI-WIN Webinar 'understanding and implementing WHO’s MERS-CoV investigation protocols​'.