Hantavirus: four hospitalised contact cases at Bichat Hospital, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, will remain in isolation for at least 15 days, following the Sunday repatriation of the five French passengers from the MV Hondius. One of them, who showed symptoms during the return flight, tested positive for the virus. Her condition worsened overnight from Sunday to Monday, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist.
The infected patient is now isolated at Bichat, the premier hospital for infectious disease care. The four other French nationals repatriated from the ship are, for now, testing negative but remain under intensified medical surveillance. This precaution is warranted by the incubation period of the detected strain, the Andes hantavirus, which can last several weeks and has documented human-to-human transmission, unlike most other hantaviruses.
Health authorities have implemented a strict protocol after several cases were reported on board the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that departed from Ushuaïa, Argentina. The vessel has been struck by a hantavirus outbreak that has already led to infections and deaths among passengers.
In Paris, isolating French travelers aims to prevent any risk of spread, even as authorities urge the public not to panic. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon noted that this virus is well understood by experts and that the situation is being monitored with the utmost vigilance.
In total, 22 French contact cases have been identified. Eight of them had traveled on the April 25 flight between Saint Helena and Johannesburg, a flight also used by a passenger on the MV Hondius who later died. These individuals were placed in isolation promptly, according to the Health Minister.
Fourteen more French nationals were identified aboard a second flight, from Johannesburg to Amsterdam. Authorities urged them to contact health authorities without delay to reinforce isolation measures and arrange appropriate follow-up care.
At this stage, the risk to the general population remains low. Health authorities nevertheless call for close monitoring of those exposed, especially in light of the particularities of the hantavirus Andes.
The Paris case remains under close watch. A meeting is planned for this Monday afternoon at Matignon with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to take stock of the management of repatriated passengers, the tracing of close contacts, and the health measures in place around Bichat Hospital, Maud Bregeon announced on BFMTV.
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