Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted sporadically from camels to humans. Most reported human Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cases have occurred in or near the Arabian Peninsula. Limited human-to-human transmission can occur after close contact and has resulted in health care-associated outbreaks. Global reported MERS cases, U.S. testing data, and data on incoming U.S. travelers originating in and near the Arabian Peninsula during 2017-2023 were analyzed to guide U.S. MERS preparedness. Global MERS cases reported to the World Health Organization declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain substantially lower than during years preceding the pandemic. U.S. MERS-CoV testing numbers also declined and remain low relative to the prepandemic period. Although the number of travelers coming to the United States from in or near the Arabian Peninsula declined during the pandemic, incoming traveler volume returned to prepandemic levels. Further investigations are needed to determine whether the decline in global MERS cases reflects a true decrease in the number of infections, underascertainment of cases, or a combination. U.S. MERS persons under investigation criteria, standard clinical and epidemiologic characteristics used to guide who in the U.S. is tested for MERS-CoV, were updated in 2024 and can be used to guide clinicians and jurisdictional public health partners when considering MERS-CoV testing. Continued and targeted MERS-CoV material surveillance is important to maintaining preparedness and promptly responding to potential MERS cases.

中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒（MERS-CoV）是一种由骆驼传播给人类的动物源性病毒。大多数报告的人类中东呼吸综合征（MERS）病例发生在阿拉伯半岛及其周边地区。在密切接触后可能发生有限的人传人，导致医疗相关的爆发。2017年至2023年间对全球报告的MERS病例、美国检测数据以及来自阿拉伯半岛及其周边地区的入境旅客的数据进行了分析，以指导美国的MERS准备工作。在全球范围内向世界卫生组织报告的MERS病例在新冠疫情大流行期间有所下降，并且明显低于大流行前的年份。美国MERS-CoV的测试数量也有所减少，并且相对于疫情之前仍然很低。虽然在疫情期间来自阿拉伯半岛及其周边地区的入境旅客人数减少，但入境旅行者的数量已经恢复到疫情之前的水平。需要进一步调查以确定全球MERS病例下降是否反映了感染数的真实减少、病例报告不足，或两者的结合。2024年更新了美国针对中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒（MERS-CoV）的“调查人员标准”，这一标准用于指导在美国进行MERS-CoV检测的人群，并可为临床医生和辖区公共卫生合作伙伴在考虑是否需要对MERS-CoV进行检测时提供指导。继续并有针对性地进行MERS-CoV材料监测对于保持准备状态并在可能的情况下迅速应对MERS病例至关重要。