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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): Summary of Reports in France

An article in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH) dated October 11 provides an overview of reported cases of respiratory infection caused by MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) in France from October 2012 to December 2015.MERS-CoV, identified in September 2012, causes respiratory infections that can progress to acute respiratory distress. Two modes of transmission to humans are currently described: zoonotic transmission from camelids and human-to-human transmission. As of July 2016, the World Health Organization had recorded 1,791 cases of MERS-CoV respiratory infection, including 640 deaths (36%). The epicenter of the infection remains on the Arabian Peninsula, primarily in Saudi Arabia.In France, since October 2012, Santé publique France has received 1,410 reports of suspected cases. For each of these cases, Santé publique France validated the classification as a "possible case" for 433 of them in collaboration with the relevant Regional Health Agency and a clinician. These cases were tested, and only 2 were confirmed in May 2013 (i.e., during the first peak of activity). Most (91% in 2015) of the suspected cases were ruled out based on clinical criteria that did not match those of the case definition. Nearly half of the reports were recorded upon return from the major pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Reports were primarily submitted by hospital departments, with 41% originating from Île-de-France, the most affected region, followed by the Rhône-Alpes (12%), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (9%), and Nord-Pas de Calais (7%) regions. Suspected cases reported in Franche-Comté and Burgundy accounted for 2% and 1% of cases, respectively.Since MERS-CoV is no longer considered an emerging disease, its surveillance is shifting toward a more conventional system in which clinicians, after consulting with the referring infectious disease specialist if necessary, report only possible cases to the Regional Health Agency (ARS) for classification validation and, if necessary, intervention by Santé publique France for epidemiological support.