Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), caused by a novel coronavirus, is a highly lethal respiratory disease.

No vaccines or antiviral therapies are available.

Camels are widely infected and may be good targets for vaccination.

MERS monoclonal antibodies and human convalescent sera may be useful for prophylaxis and treatment.

Active immunization strategies, based on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience, are under development.