MERS Coronavirus: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development)

The disease is caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

The virus belongs to the Coronaviridae family (genus: Betacoronavirus).

The pathogen reservoir is dromedaries (intermediate host); primary host organisms are probably bats.

Etiology (causes)

Disease-related causes

• Infection with the MERS coronavirus.

Other causes

• Contact with dromedaries, especially sick animals.
• Visiting farms where there are dromedaries.
• Consumption of raw or incompletely heated food from dromedaries, such as milk, cheese or meat.
• Contact with a patient with confirmed or probable MERS-CoV infection.