Middle East respiratory syndrome - coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Update 5 June 2013 – This guidance is an update to travel recommendations for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that WHO published on 20th May2013. Since September 2012, more than 50 cases of MERS-CoV have been identified globally. Approximately half of these people died. All cases identified so far have had either a direct or indirect connection with the Middle East. However, some cases identified in recent travellers from the Middle East have resulted in local, non-sustained transmission to close contacts. Thus far, all human-to-human transmission has occurred either in a household, work environment, or health care setting. The mode of transmission currently remains unknown. The virus is thought to be of animal origin but so far it has not been identified in any animal species. The specific types of exposures that result in infection are also unknown. MERS-CoV infection generally presen