The strain of coronavirus that causes MERS was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. WHO’s understanding of the virus and the disease it causes is continuing to evolve. The greatest global concern is about the potential of this new virus to spread. This is partly because the virus has already caused severe disease in multiple countries, and although the number of those infected is small, the virus has persisted in the Region since 2012.
WHO has developed a video and posters to provide important and preventive information for the general public, hajj and umrah pilgrims and health care workers on MERS-CoV.
National authorities in countries are urged to use the posters a part of preparatory lessons for hajj or umrah pilgrims.
Regional information resources on MERS-CoV
World travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages
