Guidance

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): testing

Explains the process for both primary and confirmatory testing of human samples for MERS-CoV testing, when MERS is being considered as a diagnosis.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 27 June 2023
• Last updated: 28 February 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Testing for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in England

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Details

This document provides advice for health professionals and diagnostic laboratories on:

• deciding whether testing is indicated
• in-hours and out-of-hours notifications required for a possible case
• primary testing and confirmatory testing arrangements for MERS-CoV in England
• how to request confirmatory testing and how to send samples to the Respiratory Virus Unit
• links to information on required public health actions
• reporting of confirmatory MERS-CoV results
• referral of further specimens from confirmed MERS cases

This document provides advice for health professionals on:

• what samples to send to designated UK Health Security Agency testing laboratories or other testing laboratories
• how to collect and send samples for primary diagnostic testing
• public health notifications and laboratory reporting requirements

Published 27 June 2023

Last updated 28 February 2024 + show all updates

1. 28 February 2024

   Updated contact details for notifications required for a possible case.

2. 27 June 2023

   First published.