Health authorities in Europe are on high alert after the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus was detected on the continent for the first time in ten years. Two confirmed cases have been reported in France, sparking a swift public health response.
Details of the French MERS Cases
The two patients are men in their seventies who recently returned from a holiday on the Arabian Peninsula. French health officials have initiated immediate contact tracing, identifying 34 members of the patients' tour group and hospital staff for monitoring. As of late December, no further cases have been found among these contacts.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded 19 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS in 2025. The majority of these cases, along with four reported deaths, have been concentrated in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV is known for its high fatality rate, which stands at approximately 37% among those infected.
Transmission Risks and Public Health Advice
Unlike Covid-19, MERS does not spread easily between people in sustained community transmission. The virus primarily jumps to humans through close contact with infected dromedary camels or from consuming raw camel products like milk or meat. Health officials strongly advise travellers in affected regions to:
- Avoid all contact with camels.
- Ensure any camel meat or milk is thoroughly cooked before consumption.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently assesses the risk of sustained human-to-human spread within Europe as "extremely low." However, the WHO maintains a "moderate" global risk level due to the ongoing potential for the virus to spill over from animal reservoirs.
Diagnostic Challenges and Ongoing Vigilance
One significant concern for health professionals is that early MERS symptoms are very similar to common respiratory illnesses like influenza or Covid-19. This similarity can lead to delays in diagnosis, potentially allowing the virus to spread undetected in healthcare settings.
There are currently no specific antiviral treatments or licensed vaccines for MERS, making early detection, isolation, and rigorous infection control paramount. Health agencies are urging strengthened surveillance, especially during peak travel seasons, to prevent a wider outbreak.
While the immediate threat in Europe is considered contained, these cases serve as a stark reminder of the constant threat posed by zoonotic diseases and the importance of robust global health monitoring.
