WHO- Coronavirus infections .

Global Alert and Response (GAR)

Coronavirus infections

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause a range of illnesses in humans, from the common cold to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Viruses in this family also cause a number of animal diseases.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
This strain of coronavirus that causes MERS was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Our understanding of the virus and the disease it causes is continuing to evolve.

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MERS-CoV highlights

• Update on MERS‐CoV transmission from animals to humans, and interim recommendations for at‐risk groups
  13 June 2014

• Summary update
  11 June 2014

• International travel and health update
  World - travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages, 3 June 2014

• WHO risk assessment
  Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), 24 April 2014

• WHO-ISARIC joint MERS-CoV Outbreak Readiness Workshop
  pdf, 304kb
  Clinical management and potential use of convalescent plasma 10-12 December 2013

• State of Knowledge and Data Gaps of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Humans
  The WHO MERS-CoV Research Group - 12 November 2013

• International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
  25 September 2013 Statement

• Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus Joint Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/WHO mission
  Riyadh, 4-9 June 2013
  pdf, 529kb

Technical guidance - laboratory

• Laboratory Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus: Interim recommendations
  pdf, 611kb
  September 2013

• Revised testing algorithms, assay protocols and reagent availability

• Laboratory testing for novel coronavirus - Interim recommendations
  pdf, 187kb
  21 December 2012

• Novel coronavirus: interim recommendations for laboratory biorisk management
  19 February 2013

Technical guidance - infection prevention and control

• Infection prevention and control of epidemic-and pandemic prone acute respiratory infections in health care
  April 2014
• Interim guidance for infection prevention and control during health care for probable or confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection
  pdf, 164kb
  06 May 2013
• Rapid advice note on home care for patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection presenting with mild symptoms and management of contacts
  pdf, 133kb
  08 August 2013

Case definition

• Revised interim case definition 03 July 2013

Technical guidance - surveillance and investigation

• Assessment of potential risk factors of infection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) among health care personnel in a health care setting
  pdf, 521kb
  27 January 2014

• Seroepidemiological Investigation of Contacts of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Patients
  pdf, 823kb
  19 November 2013
• Interim surveillance recommendations for human infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - update
  pdf, 135kb
  27 June 2013

Technical guidance - clinical

• Interim guidance document on
  clinical management of severe acute respiratory infections when novel coronavirus is suspected: what to do and what not to do
  pdf, 215kb

Study protocol

• Case-control study to assess potential risk factors related to human illness caused by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
  pdf, 344kb
  15 July 2014

Investigation guideline

• WHO guidelines for investigation of cases of human infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
  pdf, 359kb
  05 July 2013
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Initial Interview Questionnaire of Cases
  pdf, 114kb
  Guide for the interviewer - 30 July 2013