The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a serious alert regarding a rise in cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). As of December 21, 2025, the WHO reported a total of 19 confirmed cases, which include four fatalities. Out of these cases, 17 were documented in Saudi Arabia, while two were reported in France. This warning comes as global adenovirus cases continue to surge, prompting health officials to urge vigilance among both adults and children for potential symptoms.
The WHO’s recent update highlighted a concerning trend. Between June 4 and December 21, 2025, the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia reported seven confirmed MERS-CoV infections, including two deaths. While the overall risk assessment remains moderate at both global and regional levels, the organization acknowledges that the virus continues to pose a significant threat in certain areas.
MERS-CoV primarily infects dromedary camels, with sporadic transmission to humans. Symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and vomiting. In severe cases, MERS can be fatal, and currently, there is no vaccine available to combat the disease.
Emerging Threats from Brazil
In a related development, researchers have identified a new bat-borne coronavirus in Brazil. The implications of this discovery for human health are still unclear. The research team, including scientists from São Paulo and Ceará, collaborated with colleagues from Hong Kong University (HKU) to conduct a comprehensive study published in the Journal of Medical Virology (JMV).
PhD candidate Bruna Stefanie, a key author of the study, stated, “Right now we aren’t sure it can infect humans, but we detected parts of the virus’s spike protein, suggesting potential interaction with the receptor used by MERS-CoV.” This newly identified coronavirus has shown remarkable genetic similarities to MERS-CoV, which was first detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since caused over 850 fatalities worldwide.
The research examined samples from 423 bats across 16 different species, ultimately discovering the new coronavirus in an insect-eating bat. This finding has raised concerns among experts due to the new virus’s 72% genetic similarity to the MERS-CoV genome. Most alarmingly, the spike protein of the newly discovered virus displayed a 71.74% similarity to that of MERS-CoV, the component responsible for binding to host cells and initiating infection.
As health authorities continue to monitor the situation, the resurgence of MERS-CoV and the emergence of new coronaviruses underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and research. The WHO and global health professionals remain committed to tracking developments and ensuring public safety in the face of these evolving threats.
