About MERS
MERS is a severe respiratory disease caused by MERS-coronavirus (MERS‐CoV). It originated in Middle Eastern countries and is thought to be caught from contact with camels, camel products or from another person with MERS.
View the latest World Health Organization (WHO) information.
Case definitions
National guidelines
Transmission
MERS is a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to people.
It is spread to humans from infected dromedary camels. Scientific evidence suggests that MERS‐CoV is not present in Australian camels.
There can also be limited transmission between people through close contact with an infected person.
Symptoms
MERS symptoms typically include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Other symptoms include muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.
Some people who have been infected with the virus have mild or no symptoms. These are usually people who have been tested because they were close contacts of seriously ill cases.
People who have recently returned from overseas, or who have been in contact with a case overseas, and who develop any of these symptoms, should seek medical advice immediately.
Who is at risk
People living in or travelling to the Middle East or other affected areas, or who have had contact with an infected person may be at risk of being infected.
People with underlying illnesses that make them more vulnerable to respiratory disease may also be at a higher risk of becoming very unwell or dying due to MERS.
These people should consult their healthcare provider before travelling.
Prevention
Protect yourself from MERS while living or travelling in affected areas by:
- avoiding close contact with camels
- washing hands regularly and taking particular care when visiting places where animals are present
- avoiding close contact with people who are unwell
- avoiding consuming raw, undercooked or unpasteurised camel products, including meat, urine and milk
- avoiding all contact with camels, if you have an existing health condition that makes you more vulnerable to respiratory disease.
There is no vaccine for MERS, however Australian travellers should be up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations before travel. Travellers should consult their doctor before travelling to discuss the risks and decide whether travelling to the Middle East is appropriate at this time.
Anyone travelling to affected areas to work or volunteer in a healthcare setting should seek advice and ensure they are fully informed about infection control procedures and recommendations.
We have produced a MERS information card to help travellers before and after travel.
Diagnosis
MERS is diagnosed from a test on swabs from the back of the throat or fluid from the lungs.
If you have returned from the Middle East recently or have had contact with someone who may have had MERS and feel unwell, you should seek urgent medical assistance.
Resources for travellers
Information for travellers – Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
Translated resources for travellers
This resource is also available in the following languages:
- العربية (Arabic)
- বাংলা (Bengali)
- 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)
- 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese)
- دری (Dari)
- Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
- اردو (Urdu).
Resources for health professionals
Information about MERS for health professionals
