CDC Updates MERS-CoV Interim Guidance

​Following report of the second case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on May 15, 2014. Although the mode of transmission is still unknown, standard, contact, and airborne precautions are recommended for hospitalized patients whose condition satisfies the case definition for a patient under investigation; further precautions may be necessary if the patient also has other conditions that warrant specific measures (e.g., tuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, multidrug-resistant organism). The update has added new information regarding the length of time infection control precautions should be followed, management of sick healthcare personnel, considerations for visitors of patients with MERS-CoV, aerosol-generating procedures, and hand hygiene.