The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV), was identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Current scientific evidence suggests that dromedary camels are the primary reservoir host for MERS-CoV. The Virus does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, such as when providing unprotected care to a patient.

Healthcare-associated outbreaks have occurred in several countries, with the most significant outbreaks in Saudi Arabia (80% of cases), the United Arab Emirates, and Korea.