Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first reported in

2012 in Saudi Arabia and has since caused illness in people in more than 25 other
countries, including the United States. Most people reported to have MERS-CoV
infection developed severe acute respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and
shortness of breath.

Only two patients in the U.S. have ever tested positive for MERS-CoV infection—
both in May 2014. CDC continues to closely monitor the situation. More about MERS
in the U.S.

Coronaviruses are common in many different species of animals, including camels

and bats. Rarely, these coronaviruses can evolve and infect humans and then
spread between humans. Recent examples of this include SARS-CoV and MERS-
CoV.

Most coronaviruses infect animals, but not people. In the future, one or more of
these other coronaviruses could potentially evolve and spread to humans, as has
happened in the past. We still don’t understand why only certain coronaviruses are
able to infect people.

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European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

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Novel coronavirus in China

Pneumonia cases associated with novel coronavirus, China
Chinese authorities have identified a cluster of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV infections in Wuhan City,
China. Cases have now been detected in several countries in Asia, but also in Australia, Europe and North
America. All the cases outside China had a recent travel history to China prior onset, except in Vietnam. The
first cases in the EU/EEA were confirmed in France. Further global spread is likely.
The 2019-nCoV is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. Outbreaks of
novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern, especially when there’s little
knowledge about the characteristics of the virus, how it spreads between people, how severe are the resulting
infections and how to treat them.
Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed but more information is needed to evaluate the full extent of
this mode of transmission. The source of infection is unknown and could still be active. EU/EEA countries
should ensure that timely and rigorous infection prevention and control measures (IPC) are applied
around cases detected in the EU/EEA, in order to prevent further sustained spread in the community
and healthcare settings.
Assuming that timely and rigorous IPC measures are applied around imported cases detected in the EU/EEA,
the likelihood of further sustained spread in community settings is considered low.
All flights from Wuhan have been cancelled. The Chinese New Year celebrations at the end of January will
increase travel volume to/from China and within China, hence increasing the likelihood of arrival of cases in the
EU.
The outbreak investigations are ongoing and as this is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, ECDC
will provide updated information as it becomes available.

yourself
An outbreak of a deadly new strain of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in January 2020
has people in Hong Kong and around the world scrambling to find ways to protect themselves. Dr Joyce
Lai, a general practitioner in Hong Kong, offers some advice on proper handwashing, mask usage and
other steps people should take during any flu season – and certainly amid the latest outbreak.