The deadly new virus that has emerged in the Middle East is not yet a global public health emergency, experts decided yesterday.
But efforts to stop the spread of the disease are to be stepped up, especially as millions converge on Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj.
So far some 58 deaths from the MERS-CoV virus have been reported, representing some 42% of those diagnosed with the virus.
The virus has mostly caused problems in Saudi-Arabia and has infected a number of hospital staff.
Experts, meeting yesterday, warned of the risk of the virus spreading to sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries would be "particularly vulnerable".
Dr Keiji Fukuda, of WHO, said research was also important, especially to find out how people are getting infected.
The virus is a coronavirus which causes a kind of pneumonia.
Recent studies have suggested humans may be contracting it from animals, possibly camels. WHO said it still does not know the source of the infection in the community.
Dr Fukuda said: "We don’t understand yet what kind of risk this poses for global spread. This is probably the largest public health issue we are struggling with."
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