First case of hantavirus in France detected in evacuated cruise ship passenger
Kyiv • UNN
A passenger of the MV Hondius liner tested positive for hantavirus after being repatriated to France. Authorities have identified 22 contacts; the patient's condition has worsened.
A French woman, a passenger on the MV Hondius liner who had symptoms since her repatriation to France, has tested positive for hantavirus, announced the country's Minister of Health, Stéphanie Rist. Twenty-two close contacts have been identified, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon also reported, according to BFMTV, UNN reports.
Details
Minister of Health Stéphanie Rist announced on Monday, May 11, on France Inter, that a French woman who exhibited hantavirus symptoms following her repatriation from the MV Hondius has tested positive.
"Her condition worsened overnight," she specified.
This is the first confirmed case in France.
"She has tested positive," confirmed government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on BFMTV-RMC, seeking to reassure the public about the situation, even though the virus is officially present in France.
"We are monitoring the situation very closely. This is a virus we are familiar with, given what has happened in previous months and years. We are taking decisive measures. The sole objective is to protect the French people," she added, specifying that 22 contact cases have been identified.