PARIS — A French woman, who contracted hantavirus during an outbreak on a cruise ship, is in critical condition and is relying on an artificial lung for treatment at a hospital in Paris. This outbreak has now documented 11 cases, with 9 confirmed cases among them.
Tragically, three individuals lost their lives as a result, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first infected while traveling in South America.
The hospitalized patient is suffering from a severe manifestation of the illness, which has led to serious lung and heart issues, according to Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital. He explained that the woman is on a life-support machine that circulates blood through an artificial lung, aiming to take some burdens off her lungs and heart for a potential recovery. He referred to this stage as “the final stage of supportive care.”
Meanwhile, the cruise ship, MV Hondius, has completed the evacuation of its passengers and crew, and is now heading back to the Netherlands for disinfection.
According to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the cases reported thus far are limited to those on the cruise or its crew. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured that currently, there are no indications of a larger outbreak, but acknowledged the possibility of more cases arising due to the virus’s extended incubation period.
The most recent confirmed case involves a Spanish passenger who tested positive after being evacuated from the ship and is currently quarantined in a military facility in Madrid. Health officials note that this marks the first hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, and although there is no specific treatment or vaccine, early detection can enhance survival rates.
Argentina Investigating Source of Outbreak
Argentina’s health ministry announced their intention to send a team of experts to trace the origins of the outbreak. The couple who died had taken a bird-watching tour that possibly exposed them to rodent infestations at a landfill. Despite this, local officials have disputed claims that the outbreak started in their area.
Evacuation of MV Hondius Completes
The evacuation process for all passengers and crew has been carried out meticulously, with a total of 87 passengers and 35 crew members successfully taken to shore in Tenerife. They were escorted by personnel clad in protective suits, and two planes subsequently flew those individuals back to the Netherlands.
Though most crew members remained on the ship, it is now on its way to Rotterdam. Hantavirus primarily spreads through contact with rodent droppings and is generally not contagious between humans; however, there are exceptions with the Andes virus, which has shown rare human-to-human transmission. Symptoms typically manifest one to eight weeks following exposure.
In addition, Tedros warned that passengers returning from the cruise are advised to undergo a 42-day quarantine, though he acknowledged that enforcement of this guidance varies globally.
Hospital Staff Quarantined in the Netherlands
Twelve staff members at a Dutch hospital where one of the evacuated passengers tested positive for hantavirus are now under quarantine for six weeks after mishandling bodily fluids from the patient. Despite the low risk of infection, the hospital claims this precautionary measure is necessary.
