( CNN ) -- When the head of the World Health Organization says a new virus is her `` greatest concern right now , '' people worldwide may wonder whether they should be concerned . This new coronavirus , which experts recently named MERS-CoV or Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus , first surfaced in Saudi Arabia in spring 2012 . It 's in the same family of viruses as SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome - coronavirus ) as well as the common cold -- but the new virus is not SARS . `` There 's not the same level of concern as there was in Hong Kong or Toronto during the SARS epidemic , '' says Dr. Mark Denison , a professor of pediatrics and longtime coronavirus researcher at Vanderbilt University . Unlike SARS which sickened more than 8,000 people in 2003 and killed 773 worldwide , this new coronavirus does not spread easily between humans -- at least not yet . It 's too early to tell whether MERS-CoV is going to spread or just burn out , so it 's essential that health officials stay vigilant , Denison says . `` What 's important is continued reporting of active cases which allows for better surveillance . '' 5 things to know about new coronavirus . Should I be concerned about MERS-CoV ? So far only 49 cases of MERS have been reported , including 27 deaths . Most of those were older men with other health problems . And most contracted the virus in the Middle East : Saudi Arabia , United Arab Emirates , Jordan , Qatar . Cases have been reported in three European countries ( United Kingdom , Germany , France ) and Tunisia . But those cases had either traveled from the Middle East or in a few instances were infected through close contact with someone who recently returned from one of the above countries . As of now , if you have n't been to the Arabian Peninsula , your chance of a MERS infection is probably considerably less than 1 % , or even zero , as all the cases have been linked to that region , says WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl . What researchers do n't know is how many people may have had mild symptoms and never were reported . The more information scientists have , the more can be done to try to combat the disease . I recently returned from the Middle East . What signs should I look for ? If you 've traveled to the countries above and have cold-like symptoms which are getting worse , and you 're having increasing difficulty breathing and a fever , you may want to see a doctor . It 's important to tell your physician where you have been , so you can be tested for regular flu and other illnesses that can cause these symptoms as well as MERS-CoV . The WHO describes the common symptoms as acute , serious respiratory illness with fever , cough , shortness of breath and breathing difficulties . According to Hartl , the real worry is that patients will develop pneumonia -- most , although not all , of the cases have . Many have also had gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea . New virus takes more lives , spreads . What should I avoid ? The original source of the infection is still a mystery , so health officials can not tell you what to avoid to prevent getting this coronavirus . Researchers have n't identified any animal that may be carrying the virus . Early on in the SARS outbreak , an animal called the civet cat was implicated -- maybe unfairly , because bats were later implicated too . It 's not known how the virus spreads between humans , be it droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces , but WHO is n't ruling out contact with surfaces as a possible mechanism of transmission . It 's also not known how long the virus can live outside the body . The SARS virus was shown to live as long as four days . Other viruses , such as HIV , lose their ability to be infectious within hours . How can I help my family ? While there 's no cure for MERS-CoV , there are things you can do to protect your loved ones -- the same measures you would take to prevent spreading the flu or other viruses . If you 've recently returned from Middle East and are n't feeling well , stay home and avoid contact with babies and people who may already be sick . Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze ( tissue , sleeve or elbow , not your hands ) and wash your hands frequently . There currently is no vaccine or treatment for MERS-CoV . A lot has been learned about new coronaviruses over the past 10 years by studying the SARS virus because the National Institutes of Health have continued to support research on it , Denison says , adding that he 's hopeful that knowledge could be `` potentially applied towards vaccines , '' if MERS-CoV develops into a pandemic . New virus is a 'threat to the entire world '
If you have n't traveled to the Middle East , your chances of being infected are low . There 's not the same level of concern as seen with SARS , an expert says . Comment: