( CNN ) -- A new virus in the same family as SARS -- found for the first time in humans in the past year -- has infected 49 people , most of them in the Middle East . Of those , 27 people have died , the World Health Organization said Wednesday . The virus previously was called the novel coronavirus , or nCoV . However , the WHO this week gave it a new name : Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus , or MERS-CoV . Should I be concerned about new virus ? Your questions answered . It 's part of a family called coronaviruses , which cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome , as well as a variety of animal diseases . However , the new virus is not SARS . The virus acts like a cold and attacks the respiratory system , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said . But symptoms , which include fever and a cough , are severe and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure . Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have also been seen , according to the WHO . MERS-CoV has been detected in humans in eight countries , the WHO said last week -- Saudi Arabia , Jordan , Qatar , the United Arab Emirates , France , Germany , Tunisia and the United Kingdom . Earlier this month , the WHO reported two health care workers in Saudi Arabia became ill while treating patients . Here are five things you need to know about MERS-CoV : . Widespread transmission has n't been seen . All the clusters of cases seen so far have been transmitted between family members or in a health care setting , the WHO said in a May 17 update . `` Human-to-human transmission occurred in at least some of these clusters ; however , the exact mode of transmission is unknown . '' That means it 's not yet known how humans contract MERS-CoV . But experts said there has been no evidence of cases beyond the clusters into communities . Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville , has said the infection is `` very serious '' but appears `` very difficult to acquire . '' According to the WHO , `` The recent increase in cases may in part be related to increased awareness among the medical community ; however , the demonstrated ability of this virus to transmit between humans and to cause large outbreaks has increased concerns about the possibility of sustained transmission . '' Cases are connected to the Middle East . `` All of the European cases have had a direct or indirect connection to the Middle East , '' the WHO said in the May 17 statement . `` However , in France and the United Kingdom , there has been limited local transmission among close contacts who had not been to the Middle East but had been in contact with a traveler recently returned from the Middle East . '' New SARS-like virus poses medical mystery . Most of the cases so far are seen in older men with other medical conditions , experts have said . Precise numbers are difficult to ascertain as officials do n't know how many people might contract a mild form of MERS-CoV . Saudi Arabia leads the number of laboratory-confirmed cases , with 32 as of Tuesday , the CDC said . No cases have been reported in the United States , but infectious disease experts have said they would not be surprised if it happens . Underlying health conditions may make you more susceptible . A large number of patients have another condition , the WHO said , suggesting `` increased susceptibility from underlying medical conditions may play a role in transmission . '' In addition , the infection has shown up `` atypically '' and without respiratory symptoms in people whose immune systems are compromised . No travel warnings have been issued . The WHO and CDC have not issued travel health warnings for any country related to the novel coronavirus . But , in a travel notice , the CDC said it recommends that `` U.S. travelers to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula monitor their health and see a doctor right away if they develop fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness , such as cough or shortness of breath . They should tell the doctor about their recent travel . '' In addition , those who traveled to the Middle East should see their health care provider if they develop a fever and respiratory symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath within 10 days of returning from the Arabian Peninsula or surrounding nations , according to the CDC . There are no treatments and no vaccine . So far , those with MERS-CoV have received supportive treatments to relieve their symptoms .
World Health Organization has sickened 27 people and killed 49 , World Health Organization says . The cases have a link to Middle East , especially the United States . Experts say the virus could show up in the United States .