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MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus)As of September 3, 2015, the WHO’s global tally stands at 1,493 confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 527 deaths (an observed case fatality rate of 35%) in 26 different countries since the start of the outbreak in 2012 (with Saudi Arabia accounting for more than 85% of global cases and deaths).Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, and South Korea are the four countries reporting the majority of cases; the number of exported or secondary cases outside the Arabian Peninsula represents a small proportion (13%) of the cases reported by the WHO. Furthermore, the Arabian Peninsula is the site of major Muslim pilgrimages (the Umrah—throughout the year and especially during Ramadan—and the Hajj). During the Hajj pilgrimage period, several million pilgrims from all over the world gather, particularly in Medina and Mecca. Given that the 2015 Hajj is scheduled for September 22–29, the risk of disease transmission may therefore increase as pilgrims return to their home countries in the coming weeks.From the beginning of 2015 through August 31, 2015, 148 MERS-CoV reports were submitted to the InVS, of which 39 were classified as possible cases, tested, and subsequently ruled out.