France has tightened quarantine measures following the detection of hantavirus cases among passengers on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Some of those who came into contact with infected individuals have been placed under strict isolation in medical facilities.
According to French authorities, one of the repatriated passengers is in the intensive care unit at Bichat Hospital in stable condition. Eight other French nationals who were on the same flight as the infected person have been identified as high-risk contacts and placed under enhanced quarantine. No symptoms have been detected in them so far.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that isolation is mandatory for all contacts without exception. Additionally, interagency coordination meetings on the situation will be held daily at the Matignon residence.
Earlier, French authorities reported the repatriation of five citizens from the cruise ship where the hantavirus outbreak occurred. One of the female passengers began showing symptoms during the evacuation flight.
Meanwhile, the European Commission stated that it currently sees no reason for panic regarding the possible spread of hantavirus in Europe, although it continues to closely monitor the situation.
As a reminder, an outbreak of hantavirus occurred on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in fatalities. Initially, the ship was denied permission to dock while nearly 150 people were still on board.
Spain has now agreed to accept the cruise ship MV Hondius, where the hantavirus outbreak was detected. The ship is heading to the Canary Islands. There were five Ukrainians on board the MV Hondius when the hantavirus outbreak occurred. One of them has already been evacuated, and the remaining five, who are part of the crew, will help guide the ship to a port in the Netherlands.
Doctors say that dozens of cases of hantavirus infection are reported in Ukraine every year.
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