Hantavirus Alert: Cruise Passenger Tests Positive

A French traveler from a recent cruise has tested positive for hantavirus after being flown back to Paris. The patient was one of five French crew members who returned home from the MV Hondius in early May. Symptoms appeared during the flight, prompting hospital treatment that worsened overnight.

The cruise ship had docked in the Canary Islands, where government and military planes began transporting passengers to their home countries. Protective gear and masks were used by staff when escorting people from the vessel to shore in Tenerife. The evacuation effort continued into Monday.

The World Health Organization urged close observation of all former passengers, and several countries placed them under quarantine. An American passenger, one of 17 being flown to Nebraska, also tested positive but showed no symptoms.

Earlier reports from Spanish health officials and the cruise operator claimed that none of the 140 people on board had shown signs of infection. However, three deaths and five infections have now been confirmed since the outbreak started.

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the general public need not worry. He compared the situation to COVID‑19, stating that the risk is low and people should not panic. Hantavirus typically spreads through rodent droppings and rarely transmits between people, though the Andes strain found here can spread in uncommon cases. Symptoms usually appear one to eight weeks after exposure.

Health authorities recommend daily health checks for those repatriated, either at home or in dedicated facilities. This monitoring helps ensure early detection and limits the spread of the virus.