French traveler develops symptoms after returning from ship affected by hantavirus
French traveler develops: A French traveler has developed symptoms of hantavirus after returning from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that experienced an outbreak of the virus. The French national showed symptoms while on a chartered flight from Tenerife to Paris, prompting immediate quarantine measures.
Quarantine and medical response in France
Following the onset of symptoms during the flight, all five French passengers evacuated from the MV Hondius were placed in strict isolation upon arrival in Paris. They were met by officials wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at Le Bourget Airport and transported by ambulance to Bichat hospital. There, they will be quarantined for 72 hours and undergo a full medical assessment. After this period, they will be required to self-isolate at home for 45 days, according to France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
International repatriation and quarantine measures
More than 90 tourists from the MV Hondius have been repatriated to their home countries following the outbreak. The ship had anchored off the Canary Islands before the evacuation began. Among those repatriated:
- Fourteen Spanish nationals were flown to Madrid and are under mandatory quarantine at a military hospital.
- British nationals were flown back to Manchester, where they are being monitored despite no reported symptoms.
- A group including eight Dutch nationals arrived in the Netherlands.
- Eighteen passengers, including Americans and one British resident in the US, were flown to the United States.
- Flights for Turkish, US, Irish, and Australian citizens were also arranged.
British nationals arriving in the UK will be isolated for up to 72 hours in a designated facility before being assessed for home or alternative isolation.
Details of the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius
The MV Hondius cruise ship experienced a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three passenger deaths, two of which were confirmed to be caused by the virus. The virus strain involved is believed to be the Andes strain, which can be transmitted between humans and is usually carried by rodents. Passengers may have contracted the virus while in South America.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.
The first death linked to the outbreak occurred in April, with subsequent fatalities reported in May. Several passengers with confirmed or suspected cases are receiving treatment in various countries, including the Netherlands, South Africa, and the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.
After all passengers and crew have disembarked, the MV Hondius will proceed to the Netherlands for disinfection procedures and handling of the belongings of deceased passengers.
