The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding a concerning rise in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections, documenting 19 cases—four of which were fatal—as of December 21. This situation underscores the ongoing threat posed by coronaviruses globally.
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A recent uptick in MERS cases, coupled with the identification of a novel coronavirus, is prompting health officials to remain vigilant.
Global risk remains moderate, according to WHO -Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto
Seventeen of the recent MERS cases have been identified in Saudi Arabia, with two additional cases reported in France. This development occurs alongside a global increase in adenovirus infections, prompting health experts to advise both adults and children to be aware of potential warning signs and symptoms.
MERS-CoV: A Persistent Threat
Between June 4 and December 21, 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Saudi Arabia reported a total of seven MERS-CoV infections, including two fatalities, according to the WHO. While the overall risk assessment remains moderate globally and regionally, the virus continues to pose a danger in specific countries. The virus is known to primarily infect dromedaries, with occasional transmission to humans.
What are the symptoms of MERS? MERS typically presents with fever, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting, and can be fatal in severe cases. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent MERS infection.
Scientists are also tracking a newly discovered coronavirus found in bats in Brazil. While its impact on human health is currently unknown, the virus shares similarities with the deadly MERS virus.
Researchers from São Paulo and Ceará, working with colleagues from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), identified the new coronavirus in an insectivorous bat. Bruna Stefanie, PhD candidate and study author, explained, “At this point we are not sure if it can infect humans, but we detected parts of the virus’s spike protein [that binds to mammalian cells to initiate infection] suggesting a possible interaction with the receptor used by Mers-CoV.”
The MERS virus has caused more than 850 deaths and spread to more than two dozen countries around the world -Credit:Getty
The research, published in the Journal of Medical Virology (JMV), analyzed 423 bats from 16 different species. The newly discovered virus shares 72% genetic similarity with the MERS-CoV genome. Critically, the spike protein of the new virus exhibits a 71.74% similarity to that of the MERS virus, raising concerns about potential interactions with human cells.
First identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012, the MERS virus has spread to over two dozen countries, resulting in more than 850 deaths.
