Operators that specialize in the Middle East and Mediterranean said this week that reports about the MERS virus have not affected bookings to the region.
MERS, short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or more formally MERS-CoV, has killed 30 people as of June 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported. Since the outbreak was first identified in September, the WHO has been informed of 54 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection.
The cases have originated in Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. There have also been cases identified in France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the U.K. in patients who had either a direct or indirect connection to the Middle East.
While the disease is part of the coronavirus family, which includes the SARS virus, the WHO has emphasized that this new virus is not SARS. MERS symptoms are respiratory in nature and include a high fever, cough and breathing difficulties. The virus acts like a cold virus, but symptoms are severe and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.
The WHO recommended that those who have recently traveled to the Mideast and have cold-like symptoms, difficulty breathing and fever see a doctor to be tested for flu and other illnesses that can cause these symptoms as well as for MERS.
Despite the risks, MERS does not yet appear to be on many travelers' radar.
"There has been absolutely no concern at all regarding MERS," Ilana Apelboim, senior vice president of operations and COO at Isramworld, wrote in an email. "Most people have never heard of this, nor are they concerned about it as far as making any travel plans to Israel or the Middle East."
Apelboim noted that there have been no reported cases in Israel, which is a strong destination for Isramworld.
Regarding MERS, "I have no concern whatsoever," said Ronen Paldi, president of Ya'lla Tours. "If needed, I will travel [to the Middle East] tomorrow. And I will send my staff tomorrow, as well. I really don't see that as a major issue for us."
Follow Michelle Baran on Twitter @mbtravelweekly.