Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)
What is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)? MERS-CoV is a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Currently, all the positive cases of MERS-CoV have been linked to countries in the Middle East. For up to date information on countries where local transmission has been seen please visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Guidance for Health Care Workers and Health Sector Employers on MERS-Co V website. MERS-CoV has demonstrated limited spread from person to person. Illness has passed from person to person through close contact such as health care workers or family members taking care of an ill person with MERS-CoV. There is no evidence of sustained spread in the community.
Please ensure that patients with severe respiratory symptoms are asked about recent travel for themselves and their close contacts. Please contact the Health Unit should MERS-CoV be suspected in a patient (519-663-5317 ext. 2330; after hours 519-663-5317 and select option 2).
What are the signs and symptoms of MERS-CoV?
Illness can range from mild or no symptoms to severe acute respiratory illness. Most cases of MERS-CoV infection have had fever, cough and shortness of breath. About 30% of people who have had MERS-CoV infection have died.
What guidance documents or websites are available should a case of MERS-CoV be suspected?
Although the risk of MERS-CoV in Ontario remains low, health care providers should remain vigilant and be prepared to apply enhanced infection prevention and control measures. The following is a list of resources that are available to provide guidance in these situations.
- Guidelines, guidance documents and tools for preparedness
- Targeted to health care workers in acute care settings and will provide information on the management of a MERS-CoV case in a hospital setting.
- To be used in conjunction with guidance from the MOHTLC
- Screening and Patient Management algorithms (page 9)
- IP&C recommendations for patient management in acute care
- Include patient’s health insurance number, date of illness onset, patient setting, travel history and travel dates, signs and symptoms and specify “MERS-CoV”
- Contact PHOL’s Customer service Centre at 416-235-6556/1-877-604-4567 prior to submission
- Package and ship the primary clinical samples to the local PHOL following Category B/UN 3373 Transportation of Dangerous Goods instructions
- If initial tests are negative, and a person under investigation is worsening or not improving, the NP swab should be repeated and throat swab, sputum or broncho-alveolar lavage should be added if available
- Current recommendations for testing should be accessed on MOHLTC website
- Testing information can be found on the Public Health Ontario Testing Information for MERS-CoV website.
- Outlines the responsibilities of the health care provider, PHUs, PHO and MOHLTC in the event of an emerging infectious respiratory disease
- Information for both the public and Health professionals about MERS-CoV
- National Interim Case Definition
- Provides regular updates on emerging infectious diseases
- Provides a global picture of MERS-CoV infection with regular updates provided.
- Summary updates
- Technical guidance - lab testing
- Technical guidance - surveillance and investigation
- Technical guidance - IP&C
- Technical guidance - Clinical
- WHO - interim Case definition
- Current information with regards to MERS-CoV, information for the public, health providers, laboratories and health departments.
Date of creation: July 16, 2014
Last modified on: August 18, 2015
