Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in September 2012. Clinical presentations are primarily respiratory infections of varying severity that can progress to acute respiratory distress, but asymptomatic cases have also been reported. The primary animal reservoir responsible for this outbreak in humans is likely camelids. Cross-transmission between dromedaries and humans has been documented. In France, the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (ISP) monitors this outbreak internationally and has implemented national surveillance since October 2012. As of December 9, 2014, 918 cases of MERS-CoV infection and 331 deaths (estimated case fatality rate: 36%) had been reported to the World Health Organization. The largest reported outbreaks occurred in healthcare and household settings. Saudi Arabia is the country that has reported the highest number of cases, with a total of 819 cases of MERS-CoV infection. To date, 24 cases have been reported outside the Arabian Peninsula. In France, since October 2012, among the 861 reports of suspected cases, 265 possible cases were tested, and among them, 2 cases of MERS-CoV infection were confirmed in May 2013.