Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia

08 Apr 2025

From 6 September 2024 to 28 February 2025, 4 cases of MERS-CoV infection, (2 deaths), were reported by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. The last of these cases was on 4 February 2025. Affected provinces were Hail (2 cases), Riyadh (1 case) and Eastern (1 case).

MERS is an illness caused by a virus called MERS-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). For some people who are infected, MERS can be a severe, life threatening illness. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and breathing difficulties or being short of breath.

Advice for Travellers

To protect yourself from catching MERS-CoV when you travel you should:

• avoid drinking raw camel milk or urine, or eating undercooked camel meat or camel products
  • always practise safe food and water precautions
• wash your hands regularly, especially after contact with ill people or contact with animals
• avoid close contact with live farm or wild animals, including camels
• avoid close contact with people suffering from chest infections

If you become unwell and develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath within 14 days of returning home, you must:

• get medical attention as soon as possible by calling your GP by phone or call NHS24 on 111 (out of hours) 
• tell the medical person about your travel history before they see you
• practice respiratory hygiene measures to prevent you spreading the infection to others

There is no vaccine available to protect you against MERS-CoV.

For more information see the fitfortravel Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS CoV) page.