Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Reportable by Providers and LaboratoriesAbout this Reportable Disease
This is an immediately reportable condition. Please contact the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-7247 and ask to speak to the epidemiologist on call.
Infectious agent: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Description of illness: Illness is primarily of the respiratory tract with a wide clinical spectrum. Severe disease is characterized by fever and pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) while milder illness generally manifests as fever and milder symptoms of respiratory illness such as cough or shortness of breath.
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
MERS CoV
| TEST NAME | MERS-CoV |
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| METHODOLOGY | LRN-B MERS CoV PCR/ 7500DX |
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Laboratory Reporting
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and has a wide clinical spectrum, from mild respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- The incubation period is typically about 5 days (range 2–14 days). In hospitalized patients, the median time from symptom onset to hospitalization is about 4 days, with rapid progression possible in critically ill patients.
- Severe illness is more likely in people with underlying medical conditions; clinical features can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and radiographic pneumonia/ARDS.
- Infection prevention in healthcare relies on appropriate infection control precautions and facility protocols for suspected/confirmed cases to limit transmission in clinical settings.
- In Tennessee, MERS is an immediately reportable condition, with TDH resources available for screening and investigation workflows.
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
A viral respiratory illness caused by MERS-CoV, a type of coronavirus. First identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Spread mainly from infected camels or close human contact. Can cause mild to severe lung infection.
Types
Sporadic cases – direct contact with infected camels.
Household transmission – among close family members.
Healthcare-associated – spread in hospitals or clinics.
All involve the same virus but differ by exposure source.
Signs and Symptoms
Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are the most common.
May also cause muscle aches, sore throat, or diarrhea.
Severe cases lead to pneumonia or kidney failure.
The incubation period is about 2–14 days.
Treatment
No specific antiviral treatment available.
Supportive care includes oxygen and fluids.
Severe cases may need ventilator or ICU care.
Prevention focuses on hygiene and avoiding camel contact
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM