Suspicion of hantavirus: French and American passengers on a cruise ship show symptoms of infection

On an evacuation flight from Tenerife to Paris, one of the French passengers on the MV Hondius liner showed symptoms of hantavirus. All five French passengers have been isolated in strict quarantine. Two American passengers also showed signs of infection — they are being transported in bio-isolation capsules.

This is reported by BBC.

French and Americans

After landing at Paris Le Bourget Airport, the French passengers were met by officials in protective suits and taken to Bichat Hospital. There, they face a 72-hour quarantine with full examination, followed by — 45 days of self-isolation at home.

Among the American passengers, one has mild hantavirus symptoms, the other — a weakly positive test for Andes virus. Both are being transported in the aircraft’s bio-isolation capsules.

Evacuation continues

Over 90 out of 150 passengers and crew members have already returned home. The British were taken to Manchester — no symptoms detected in them, but all are under medical supervision. 14 Spaniards were sent to mandatory quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid. 26 people, including eight Dutch nationals, arrived in the Netherlands. The last two evacuation flights are scheduled for Monday.

What is known about the victims

Since the outbreak began, three people have died. The first death occurred on April 11 — right on board the ship. The second — on April 26 in Johannesburg, where a 69-year-old Dutch woman flew from Saint Helena island. The third — on May 2 on board. Two Britons with confirmed infection are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa.

One more Briton is being treated on Tristan da Cunha island, where British military medics dropped supplies of medications by parachute.