What can travelers do to prevent MERS?

All travelers

All travelers can take these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of germs and protect against colds, flu, and other illnesses: * Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

* Be sure you are up-to-date with all of your shots, and if possible, see your health care provider at least 4–6 weeks before travel to get any additional shots. * Visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health website for more information on healthy travel.

Health care workers People who are traveling to provide health care services in the Arabian Peninsula should review CDC’s recommendations for infection control of confirmed or suspected MERS cases.

Exposure to camels

The MERS virus has been found in some camels, and some MERS patients have reported contact with camels. However, we do not know exactly how people become infected with the virus—many people with MERS have had close contact with a person sick with MERS.

The World Health Organization has posted a general precaution for anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoid contact with sick animals. Travelers should also avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. For more information, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/faq/en/.

The World Health Organization considers certain groups to be at high risk for severe MERS; these groups include people with diabetes, kidney failure, or chronic lung disease and people who have weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization recommends that these groups take additional precautions:

* Avoid contact with camels.

* Do not drink raw camel milk or raw camel urine.

* Do not eat undercooked meat, particularly camel meat.

For more information, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/MERS_CoV_RA_20140613.pdf?ua=1.

If you are sick:

* Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash.

* Avoid contact with other people to keep from infecting them. This might mean delaying your travel until you are well.

* Call a doctor if you develop a fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula.* You should tell the doctor about your recent travel before you go in for an appointment.

* Tell people who have been in close contact with you to monitor their health for 14 days after the last time they were around you.

o They should call a doctor and tell them about your illness and travel history and their current symptoms. * If you get sick while you are traveling, see Getting Health Care Abroad for information about how to locate medical services overseas.​