France Confirms First MERS Cases in 12 Years: Travelers Hospitalized After Trip to Arabian Peninsula

Spread the Message

Read Time:3 Minute, 55 Second

PARIS, Dec 8, 2025 – France has confirmed its first two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) since 2013, ending a twelve-year period without the viral respiratory illness in the country. The Ministry of Health announced on Friday that two men in their 70s have been hospitalized after returning from a group tour of Oman, sparking a swift public health response to contain any potential spread.

The two patients, whose names have not been released, are currently in stable condition and are receiving care in isolation units at hospitals in Lyon and southwestern France. Health officials report that while one patient briefly experienced worsening symptoms, he is now improving, while the second patient is currently asymptomatic.

Tracking the Infection Source

According to the investigation, the men were part of a tour group of 34 people traveling through the Arabian Peninsula. Preliminary findings suggest the infection may be linked to zoonotic transmission—a direct jump from animals to humans—rather than human-to-human spread.

Antonin Bal, a virologist and deputy head of the National Reference Centre for respiratory viruses at the Hospices Civils de Lyon, confirmed to reporters that the travelers had visited a live animal market and consumed camel meat during their trip. MERS-CoV is endemic in dromedary camels in the Middle East, which are considered the primary reservoir for the virus.

“Eating meat is safe if it has been well cooked,” Bal noted, emphasizing that the risk usually stems from handling infected animals or consuming raw or undercooked animal products.

Swift Containment Measures

French health authorities have activated strict protocols to prevent a wider outbreak. The Ministry of Health has launched a comprehensive contact tracing operation involving the other 32 tourists in the group and any healthcare workers who treated the patients prior to their isolation.

Stéphanie Rist, the French Minister for Health, sought to reassure the public in a press statement released shortly after the cases were confirmed.

“The patients are being monitored in hospital as a precautionary measure and their conditions are stable,” Rist stated. “Measures have been implemented to limit the risk of onward transmission to contacts of the patients, including healthcare workers.”

These measures include rigorous barrier precautions, isolation of close contacts, and systematic testing. Virologist Antonin Bal confirmed that diagnostic tests are being conducted on the entire tour group. While standard PCR tests require sputum samples typically available only from symptomatic patients, serological (blood) tests are being employed for asymptomatic individuals to ensure no silent transmission has occurred. As of Monday, all other tests from the group have returned negative results.

Expert Perspectives and Global Context

While the re-emergence of MERS in Europe is a serious development, infectious disease experts emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low. MERS-CoV is not as easily transmissible between humans as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) or influenza.

“Most imported cases in Europe have been sporadic and have not led to sustained community transmission,” the World Health Organization (WHO) noted in its assessment of previous outbreaks. Human-to-human transmission is possible but typically occurs only in close-contact settings, such as households or healthcare facilities with inadequate infection control.

Since the virus was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012, approximately 2,640 cases have been recorded globally, with a mortality rate of roughly 35%. The vast majority of these cases (around 80%) have occurred in Saudi Arabia. The last reported case in Europe prior to this event was in Germany in 2015.

Implications for Travelers

This incident serves as a critical reminder for travelers visiting the Middle East to practice food and animal safety. Health agencies recommend that visitors to the region:

Avoid direct contact with camels and other animals in markets or farms.
Ensure all animal products, including meat and milk, are thoroughly cooked or pasteurized.
Practice good hand hygiene, especially after visiting public places or animal markets.

While the incubation period for MERS-CoV ranges from two to 15 days, the remaining members of the tour group are nearing the end of the monitoring window. Health officials remain optimistic that the swift identification and isolation of the two cases have effectively mitigated the threat of a wider cluster.

Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References: