Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius: French Health Minister Reassures Amid Uncertainty

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist addressed the National Assembly amid a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, describing the situation as uncertain regarding any potential virus mutation. However, officials remain reassured for now.

Epidemiologist Olivier Schwartz from the Pasteur Institute reported that sequenced viruses from Zurich and the Pasteur Institute showed no evidence of mutation, though the risk remains. The World Health Organization has confirmed nine cases linked to the Andes strain and has urged isolation of suspected cases, with no signs of a wider outbreak yet detected.

Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron assured that the virus situation is under control, with French authorities rigorously tracing 22 contact cases. A French woman among five French passengers is in intensive care after testing positive, the remaining passengers tested negative.

(With inputs from agencies.)