The first case of a SARS-related novel coronavirus has been confirmed in France, the country's health authorities announced Wednesday. French officials are now searching for other people who may have been in contact with the infected man.
It is still unknown as to how or where the 65-year-old Frenchman, who is now receiving respiratory assistance and blood transfusions, became infected with the deadly respiratory virus that is already responsible for killing 18 people since being detected last year in the Middle East.
But while some of the details surrounding this most recent infection in France remain unknown, health authorities say that the man became ill upon returning from a nine-day vacation in Dubai, United Emirates, according to the Health Ministry.
The health director for the French government, Jean-Yves Grall, says that the man is in "worrying condition" and currently in isolation.
The identity of the patient has not been revealed but he reportedly returned from his vacation in Dubai on April 17 and then was initially hospitalized on April 23 before being transferred to a healthcare facility on April 29 in Dubai.
Authorities confirmed the man had contracted the novel coronavirus Tuesday after the Pasteur Institute conducted an evaluation of the case.
The World Health Organization, or WHO, knows of 30 confirmed cases of the SARS-related virus, including 18 deaths from the illness.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl says learning more about the novel coronavirus is a top priority.
"Any virus that has the potential to develop into something that is highly transmissible between people, including the coronavirus, is a major concern," he said.
"We need to follow up on all possible routes of infection, i.e. animal to human, whether it's being spread in hospitals or from human-to-human."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
