MERS coronavirus is a disease caused by a new virus that can cause a rapid onset of severe respiratory disease in people. Most severe cases have occurred in people with underlying conditions that may make them more likely to get respiratory infections.
All cases have lived in or travelled to the Middle East, or have had close contact with people who acquired the infection in the Middle East. There have been no cases in Australia.
The Department has made the following information resources available for a range of audiences.
•Fact Sheet for consumers/patients
•Information for GPs on MERS coronavirus
•Information for clinicians, laboratories and public health personnel on MERS coronavirus
The Department issues a fortnightly situation update on MERS coronavirus based on information from the WHO and other published sources. The latest situation update is available below.
2014-07-17 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Situation Update (Word 605 KB)
2014-07-17 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Situation Update (PDF 118 KB)