The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 19 confirmed instances of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV, globally till 21st December 2025. This included four fatalities. The persistence of these cases, with a notable presence in areas where dromedary camels are found, has reaffirmed the virus as a consistent menace.
The moderate risk level assessment for MERS-CoV both globally and regionally by the organization underlines the significance of constant vigilance and coordinated public health responses over emergency-driven procedures. Saudi Arabia reported 17 of these cases, highlighting it as a key area of MERS-CoV transmission since its initial identification in 2012. France also confirmed two cases linked to travel to the Arabian Peninsula, epitomizing the constant risk for individuals returning from areas where the virus is active. MERS-CoV, transmitted primarily from camels to humans, has seen limited exhibition of human-to-human transmission.
However, it’s pertinent to note that past outbreaks have been associated with hospitals where infection prevention measures were deemed unsatisfactory. The low incidence of cases in 2025 doesn’t negate the possibility of sporadic future infections due to the virus’s persistence in animal reservoirs. Therefore, the WHO endorses sustained epidemiological surveillance and timely public health responses, particularly in impacted countries.
The organization’s overarching strategy up to 2030 integrates MERS with other coronavirus diseases like COVID-19 into long-term national health programs. This strategy is underpinned by lessons learnt from the COVID-19 response and ongoing research on MERS. Countries are urged to harmonize their activities with this strategic outline to enhance resilience in face of future emergencies. As a part of the WHO’s BioHub System designed to boost research, surveillance and development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, a MERS-CoV isolate was recently included. This inclusion expands research beyond strains previously undetected.
Simultaneously, WHO’s Coronavirus Network (CoViNet) expanded to include 45 national reference labs across multiple sectors, both human and environmental. This growth complements the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System’s monitoring of respiratory viruses. At the national level, countries like Mexico have shown commitment through financial contributions towards upgrading and expanding surveillance and detection systems under a unified health framework.
Source: https://mexicobusiness.news/health/news/who-reports-19-mers-cov-cases-2025-strategy-evolves