French health authorities have confirmed that two people infected with the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus are in stable condition in a hospital, the country’s health ministry said. The individuals were part of a tour group visiting the Arabian Peninsula.
MERS is a coronavirus that is more deadly but less contagious than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus that spread from China in the early 2000s. While the virus is believed to have originated in bats, humans are typically infected through contact with camels.
The health ministry said all necessary precautions have been taken to limit the risk of further transmission. This includes isolating the patients, tracing contacts, enforcing barrier measures, screening other tour group members, and implementing strict procedures should anyone develop symptoms, even mild ones. No secondary infections have been detected so far.
“The patients are in stable condition, and management measures have been put in place to reduce transmission risk to healthcare staff and their entourage,” the ministry said in a statement released late yesterday.
MERS causes symptoms similar to Covid-19, including fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Human-to-human transmission is rare but can occur through direct or indirect contact, respiratory droplets, and, occasionally, airborne exposure.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, MERS has caused 958 deaths out of 2,640 reported cases worldwide between 2012 and November 2025, with the majority occurring in Saudi Arabia.
France has reported only two previous MERS cases, both in 2013. Health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, especially among other members of the tour group who may have been exposed.
The ministry emphasized that containment measures are ongoing and that health staff are following strict protocols to prevent further spread. The public is advised to remain alert but reassured that the risk of wider transmission in France remains low.
MERS remains a global health concern due to its high fatality rate, but its limited transmissibility means that outbreaks can generally be contained with prompt isolation and contact-tracing measures. French officials continue to collaborate with international health organizations to monitor the virus and ensure the safety of travelers returning from the Middle East.
