UKHSA risk assessment of MERS-CoV
Updated 18 May 2026
漏 Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at /government/publications/mers-cov-risk-assessment/phe-risk-assessment-of-mers-cov
UKHSA risk assessment of MERS-CoV听
There have been 19 human cases of MERS reported between January 2025 and 29 April 2026 鈥� 17 reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and 2 reported by France听in December 2025, in individuals who had travelled to the Middle East.听
Further information on the epidemiology of MERS-CoV is available in the听MERS-CoV: background information
Risk assessment听
The number of reported human MERS-CoV cases per year听globally,听has fallen to the lowest level since 2014. The identification of听2 imported cases of听MERS-CoV听in France demonstrates that MERS continues to pose a risk to UK public health, particularly in those who have travelled to the Middle East.听In addition to PCR confirmed cases in the Middle East, there is serological evidence of MERS-CoV infection of camel-workers in Nigeria,听Kenya听and Morocco. There is therefore听a very low听risk of importation of MERS-CoV from occupationally exposed individuals from those African countries.听It is imperative that health professionals听remain听vigilant for clinical presentations compatible with Middle East respiratory syndrome.听Detailed case definitions and guidance听on when to suspect MERS is given in the听MERS-CoV: diagnosis and management of cases and contacts.
Early identification听of MERS-CoV cases听is essential,听achieved听听through听prompt testing, communication with local health protection teams听and rapid implementation of infection control measures for persons who meet the possible case definition.
The risk听of infection with MERS-CoV听for听UK resident听short-term travellers to countries where MERS-CoV is known to be endemic in camels is听very low. The risk听may be higher for individuals听with specific exposures including听direct contact with camels, or unpasteurised or undercooked camel products.听听听
The听risk鈥痮f听imported cases听of MERS-CoV听in听non-UK听residents travelling to the UK is听very low.听
The听risk of onward transmission听of MERS-CoV听in the UK should importation occur听is low.听Infection prevention control measures for听airborne听HCIDs are effective in preventing nosocomial transmission. Transmission between family members has occurred in the听UK but听was limited by effective public health interventions.听听
The risk of听acquiring听MERS-CoV infection in the UK is听extremely听low. There is no evidence of infected camels in the UK, and very minimal importation of unpasteurised camel products.
Strict adherence to recommended infection control measures in healthcare facilities has been shown to be effective in preventing or limiting outbreaks of MERS-CoV.听听
Travel advice听
All travellers to the Middle East are听advised to avoid听contact with camels as much as possible. The , gives comprehensive travel advice in relation to MERS-CoV:
- travellers should practice good general hygiene measures, such as regular handwashing with soap and water听at all times, but especially before and after visiting farms,听barns听or market areas听
- travellers are advised to听avoid raw camel milk and/or camel products from the Middle East听
- travellers are also advised to听avoid consumption of any type of raw milk, raw milk products and any food that may be contaminated with animal secretions unless peeled and cleaned and/or thoroughly cooked听
- travellers should follow the advice of local health authorities; there are currently no travel restrictions in place听
- travellers developing fever and cough within 14 days of travel from the Middle East should seek medical advice and must report their travel history so that听appropriate clinical听assessment, infection control听measures听and testing can be undertaken听
- people who are acutely ill with an infectious disease are听advised not to travel听but to seek health advice听immediately听
The Hajj and Umrah听
There have been no reported increases in travel-related鈥�MERS-CoV cases for previous Hajj pilgrimages. However, cases of鈥�MERS-CoV鈥痟ave been imported to countries outside of Saudi Arabia following return from Umrah, a separate pilgrimage which can be performed throughout the year.
UKHSA鈥痳emains听vigilant and closely听monitors听developments in the Middle East and in the rest of the world where new cases have听emerged听and continues to liaise with international colleagues to assess whether our recommendations need to change.听
Infographics for people鈥痶ravelling to or returning from the Middle East are available.
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes鈥��.
Further information for health professionals on the听possible鈥�MERS case definition鈥痠s also available.