Following the World Health Organization’s decision to rename the novel coronavirus as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) convened an expert meeting to rename the Category V Notifiable Infectious Disease—novel coronavirus infection as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and revise the incubation period to 14 days as well as the case reporting guidelines, case definition, specimen collection procedures, and other relevant recommendations, which will be subsequently posted on the Taiwan CDC’s website.

Globally, from April 2012 to date, a total of 50 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 30 deaths and 7 clusters, have been reported in the following countries: Saudi Arabia (38), Jordan (2), Germany (2), the United Kingdom (4), France (2), and Tunisia (2). In Taiwan, from September 2012 to date, a total of 3 suspected cases of infection with MERS-CoV have been reported. The possibility of infection with MERS-CoV has been ruled out in all 3 cases by laboratory testing. In addition, Taiwan CDC has also expanded the surveillance for infection with MERS-CoV and tested 257 specimens collected from 136 patients with pneumonia of unkown cause and none of them were found to be positive for the virus.  

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV). The incubation period ranges from 9 to 12 days. The symptoms of a confirmed case include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. The majority develop pneumonia. Hence, physicians are reminded to increase vigilance for this virus, especially when diagnosing suspected patients that present severe pneumonia of unknown origin, clusters of pneumonia, pneumonia of unknown origin among healthcare professionals, and patients with pneumonia and have traveled to the Middle East 14 days prior to disease onset, and report any suspected cases to the health authority as soon as possible. Additionally, when a suspected case is identified, respiratory, blood and serum specimens should be simultaneously collected from the patient for laboratory testing. When symptoms persist or become more severe in a patient, specimens from the lower respiratory tract should be collected for further testing. Furthermore, when a patient suspected with MERS is hospitalized, relevant nosocmial infection control measures should be implemented.

Taiwan CDC urges travelers who wish to visit the Middle East to increase vigilance for the virus and pay attention to personal hygiene and hand cleanliness at all times. Travelers are advised to avoid visiting crowded places or places with poor ventilation and avoid close contact with people with respiratory symptoms. If symptoms such as fever or acute respiratory illness develop upon arrival in Taiwan, please notify the quarantine personnel at the airport of your symptoms voluntarily and comply with relevant quarantine activities. Moreover, anyone who has recently traveled to the Middle East and developed symptoms of respiratory infections or fever after returning from the Middle East should don a surgical mask, seek medical attention immediately, and inform the doctor of the recent travel history.

Taiwan CDC will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation and adjust prevention and control strategies accordingly. For more information, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.