Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Oman: Current Situation and Going Forward

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic viral respiratory illness caused by a novel betacoronavirus, which was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.1 Since, MERS-CoV cases have been reported across the Arabian Peninsula, with occasional cases exported among travelers to other continents.2 Dromedary camels are a major reservoir host, in which the virus causes negligible disease.3 The virus can spread from dromedary camels to humans, through direct or indirect contact, causing significant morbidity and mortality.4 The clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic illness to septic shock and multiorgan failure.