Update on the Surveillance of Infections Associated with the Novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)As of March 7, 2015, and since the start of the outbreak in April 2012, 1,082 cases of MERS-CoV and 439 deaths (an observed case fatality rate of 40.6%) have been reported worldwide. The majority of cases have been reported in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Saudi Arabia (1,057 cases, or 86.7%) and in 22 other countries. The number of reported cases has also increased in the Arabian Peninsula in recent months. Since the beginning of 2015, Saudi Arabia has reported 113 cases of MERS-CoV. Although higher than in the previous two years (approximately 40 cases over the same period in 2014), the number of cases reported over the past two months remains significantly lower than what was reported between mid-April and mid-June 2014 (approximately 550 cases). Any suspected case must be reported by the clinician to the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency (ARS) by phone at 0820 22 61 01. The ARS forwards the report to the Cire (or its on-call service outside business hours) for classification of the case as either excluded or possible, according to the following definitions: Case definition, procedures, and recommendations (InVS).

List of countries considered at risk: In accordance with the ECDC recommendation, the definition of possible cases requiring investigation includes the list of countries with confirmed cases and neighboring countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Yemen.