Uganda is not prepared for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). There is a fear in Uganda and East Africa as a whole that pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia could come with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). The virus has killed over 61 people in the Middle East since the start of 2013.

MERS-CoV is viral respiratory illness, which was first reported in Saudi   Arabia in 2012. The disease is caused by a coronavirus known as MERS-CoV.

The people suffering from MERS-CoV develop severe acute respiratory illness, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Half of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) patients die. The virus spreads from ill people to others through close contacts.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) has killed people mostly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)).

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