French Hantavirus Patient Is Critically Ill as Outbreak Reaches 11 Cases
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- A French woman infected with hantavirus after traveling on the MV Hondius cruise ship is critically ill, with three patients in total reported as critically ill among the 11 identified cases worldwide.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed nine cases of hantavirus and identified two additional probable cases, including three fatalities linked to the outbreak.
- Health officials are monitoring travelers who disembarked from the MV Hondius and their close contacts for symptoms, with the virus's incubation period noted to be up to six weeks.
- The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control recommends a six-week quarantine for passengers after disembarking due to the long incubation period and potential spread on the ship.
- Despite the increasing number of cases, the WHO maintains that the risk of a larger hantavirus outbreak remains low.