DEFER:

• For 28 days from the date of leaving the at risk area, if the donor has not had symptoms suggestive of MERS-CoV
• For 180 days from the date of complete recovery if the donor had symptoms suggestive of MERS-CoV Infection (even if they did not seek medical advice)
• For 180 days from the date of complete recovery if the donor had confirmed or suspected MERS-CoV Infection
• For 28 days after the last contact if a donor has come into contact with a person with confirmed/suspected MERSCoV infection

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• MERS-CoV is a respiratory disease caused by a novel virus which can be fatal in individuals with underlying co-morbidities but can also cause asymptomatic infection
• The main clinical symptoms are fever and respiratory symptoms (cough and shortness of breath) which may lead to viral pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome
• The incubation period for MERS-CoV is usually about 5 or 6 days, but can range from 2 to 14 days
• MERS-CoV is spread by human contact (i.e. respiratory secretions)
• There is no evidence at present that MERS-CoV can be transmitted by blood transfusion and therefore these measures are precautionary