Hantavirus: A French woman in intensive care, 22 isolated contact cases

A French woman repatriated on Sunday from an Antarctic cruise aboard the MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus and is currently in intensive care at Bichat Hospital in Paris. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed the information on Monday. The patient had been experiencing symptoms since her return to France. She is one of five French passengers placed in isolation in separate rooms at the Parisian hospital.

Four other passengers remain in hospital

The four other repatriated cruise passengers, although testing negative and showing no symptoms, must remain hospitalized for at least fifteen days as a precaution. According to government spokesperson Maud Bregeon, 22 other French nationals have been identified as close contacts and will be quickly transferred to hospitals for isolation. These contacts are considered high-risk by the World Health Organization. Among the five repatriated individuals are reportedly two veterinarians and wildlife journalists.

These health measures follow the death of a Dutch cruise passenger during the same Antarctic expedition. Hantavirus, transmitted primarily by rodents, can cause severe symptoms requiring intensive care. French health authorities are maintaining close surveillance of all individuals who may have come into contact with confirmed or suspected cases during the cruise.