Middle East respiratory syndrome

Definition

A rare infectious disease caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) and characterized by a spectrum of illness, ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms to rapidly progressive lower respiratory infection/pneumonia potentially leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-system organ failure, and death. Presenting signs and symptoms typically include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, dyspnea, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.