Coronavirus infection

Coronaviruses are widespread and can cause generally mild illnesses in humans. However, three of them have led to serious epidemics: SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2.

Our Mission

  • Identify any new cases of infection as early as possible

  • Notify healthcare professionals

  • Inform the public

What We Do

The importation of MERS-CoV cases into Europe is possible due to the regular occurrence of new cases in the Arabian Peninsula and significant travel between that region and Europe, particularly via air travel. The possibility of person-to-person transmission of MERS-CoV, particularly in healthcare settings, justifies the implementation of surveillance and appropriate management for each case imported into France.

Epidemiological Surveillance of MERS-CoV

Since October 2012, Santé publique France has implemented surveillance of MERS-CoV infections. In light of the international epidemiological situation, surveillance evolved starting in September 2016 into a permanent system involving frontline healthcare teams (clinicians and laboratory professionals) and regional public health professionals. This enhanced surveillance system has been adapted to regional organizations and capacities and to the current level of risk, while ensuring the continued ability to identify any imported case of MERS-CoV infection at an early stage.

Any suspected case of MERS-CoV infection must be reported to a clinician for classification and patient management, in consultation with a referring infectious disease specialist and the Regional Health Agency (ARS).

Tools and resources available for surveillance

In the event of a “suspected case”:

In the event of a “possible case”:

  • Case monitoring by the clinician and virological confirmation at a regional laboratory and/or the National Reference Center for Respiratory Viruses

  • Follow-up of contacts in coordination with the ARS: download the questionnaire

In the event of a “confirmed case”:

The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly provides detailed information and recommendations on monitoring and surveillance to the health authorities of member states. The WHO and the ECDC regularly update international epidemiological data and assess the associated risks.