To better understand the role of animal species in the epidemiology of MERS-CoV and in response to the surge in MERS-CoV cases and recent findings on camels as a possible source of infection, FAO in close collaboration with its global and regional partners, convened a regional technical consultation meeting in Muscat, Oman on 20 and 21 May 2014 with the participation of the main stakeholders from the region.

The main outcome was a better understanding of MERS-CoV overall, and in particular of the link between MERS-CoV and animal species, as well as the establishment of coordinated initiatives among countries for the effective monitoring of MERS-CoV in animal species.