Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is an illness that affects your respiratory system. It is caused by a common type of virus called coronavirus. These viruses cause mild to moderate respiratory illness. But in some cases the symptoms are severe and can lead to death.

MERS is a severe respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus. It mainly affects those who live in or travel to the Arabian peninsula. Though it has similar symptoms to COVID-19, MERS is not as contagious. Since it was first seen in 2012, fewer than 2,600 cases have been reported. About 35% of people diagnosed with MERS have died.

MERS-CoV is a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses, including the common cold. These viruses are zoonotic, meaning that they commonly infect animals and can transfer to humans. MERS-CoV is one of three new coronaviruses that cause severe illness in humans.