The first patient in the U.S. diagnosed with Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), was released from Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, on Friday, May 9. Multiple tests conducted by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were negative for the presence of the MERS-CoV infection in this patient. Health officials have released the patient from isolation and he is cleared to travel, if necessary.

All Community Hospital employees who had direct contact with this patient have a confirmed second negative test for MERS, and none have evidence of this infection. These employees are cleared to return to work and discontinue home isolation.