France on Alert: Repatriated Passenger from Hantavirus Ship Placed in Immediate Quarantine After Showing Symptoms

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Sunday evening (May 10) that five French citizens who were aboard the MV Hondius ship, which was designated as a hotspot for the Hanta virus, have been returned to French territory.

This comes after the evacuation of passengers from the ship on board, which had an outbreak of Hantavirus, began earlier in tje day. World Health Organization experts worked on the ground together with the Spanish Ministry of Health to conduct epidemiological assessments of passengers, and to coordinate flights from Tenerife in cooperation with the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

According to the French Defense Minister, one of the passengers exhibited symptoms during the return flight, and as a result, all five passengers were placed in immediate and strict isolation until further notice.

It was also reported that the five are under medical supervision and will undergo a series of tests and a full medical evaluation.

According to the minister's announcement, the ministry will issue a new order allowing French authorities to apply isolation measures to contact cases as well, in order to prevent a risk to the general population. The French health minister is expected to provide residents with an additional update on the matter later this evening.

Last night (May 10), the European Commission representation in Spain announced to the public that, "following Spain's request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism," a rescEU air ambulance will be deployed from Norway to Tenerife in response to the hantavirus. An EU liaison officer is on site supporting coordination."

rescEU air ambulance is being deployed from Norway to Tenerife

MV Hondius. Photo: Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock.com

The unusual outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius has raised complex questions about medical preparedness at sea, risks of human-to-human transmission, and how passenger ships deal with rare diseases far from land.

According to the WHO, the Andes strain is unusual in that some cases of human-to-human transmission have been documented, but it does not spread as easily as influenza or coronavirus. The organization emphasizes that the risk to the public remains low.

All information about the symptoms of the Hanta virus and the ways of infection.