(MERS-CoV) risks associated with travel to Qatar FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is taking place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022.

Clinicians are reminded that travellers to the World Cup are exposed both to infections endemic to Qatar, and infections associated with mass gatherings.

Clinicians and public health teams should specifically be alert to the possibility of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in returning travellers from the World Cup and must follow the current MERS guidance.

MERS-CoV can be acquired from close contact with camels or from consuming camel products e.g., unpasteurised camel milk. Cases of MERS have been reported in humans in Qatar, including two cases in 2022, both with exposure to camels. However, there have been examples internationally of person-to-person transmission, particularly from nosocomial transmission in healthcare settings, most notably in a large MERS outbreak in the Republic of Korea.

This article is to raise awareness and provide information and guidance. The risk of infection with MERS-CoV to UK residents travelling to the Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East is very low but may be higher in those with exposure to specific risk factors.

For more detailed IPC guidance please see the attached clinical update. If further information is required please contact the IPC Team.

Published 5th December 2022