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Guidance

MERS-CoV: risk assessment

Guidance on reducing the risk of getting MERS-CoV for UK residents and travellers to the Middle East.

Documents

Details

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) closely monitors developments in the Middle East and in the rest of the world where new cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have emerged. We continue to liaise with international colleagues to assess whether our recommendations need to change.

Updates to this page

Published 2 May 2014
Last updated 18 May 2026 show all updates
  1. Updated information on the background. Risk assessment level for travellers to Middle East remains very low. Risk assessment for acquiring MERS-CoV infection in the UK has been reduced to extremely low.

  2. Minor updates to wording.

  3. Updated guidance to align with current information.

  4. Updated guidance.

  5. Updated global case numbers.

  6. Updated guidance on PHE risk assessment of MERS-CoV.

  7. Updated guidance on PHE risk assessment of MERS-CoV.

  8. Updated guidance on PHE risk assessment of MERS-CoV.

  9. Updated guidance on PHE risk assessment of MERS-CoV.

  10. Updated NaTHNaC link to 2018 travel health advice to Hajj and Umrah.

  11. Added updated PHE Risk Assessment of MERS-CoV.

  12. Replaced 'PHE risk assessment of MERS-CoV' guidance.

  13. Updated version.

  14. New MERS-CoV Risk Assessment document uploaded.

  15. Updated risk assessment based on latest epidemiology.

  16. Updated risk assessment based on latest epidemiology.

  17. August risk assessment uploaded

  18. Updated risk assessment in response to recent epidemiology.

  19. Updated risk assessment in response to recent epidemiology, and changes to laboratory testing criteria.

  20. Updated risk assessment.

  21. First published.

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