A French national who was evacuated from a cruise ship affected by hantavirus, where three people lost their lives due to the disease, has begun experiencing symptoms, authorities reported on Sunday.
The individual, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, started showing signs of hantavirus while en route to a hospital in Paris with four other compatriots, as stated by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecorne.
Consequently, all five French evacuees from the MV Hondius have been placed under immediate isolation until further notice, according to the prime minister.
The sick individual was being transported from Tenerife to Paris when symptoms appeared, heightening concerns about potential virus spread as numerous countries are working to repatriate their citizens who were on the infected ship.
On Sunday, over 90 tourists were evacuated from the Dutch vessel by paramedics dressed in protective gear.
At France’s Le Bourget airport, specialists in full-body protective suits were seen as the five nationals arrived early Sunday morning.
According to France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the five were taken by ambulance to Bichat hospital in Paris, where they will stay in isolation for three days while undergoing extensive testing.
The ministry indicated that following the quarantine, French passengers will return home and engage in self-isolation for an additional 45 days.
Among the evacuees, 17 Americans also returned for testing and will be directed to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The World Health Organization has advised a 42-day quarantine for those on the troubled ship, which has so far resulted in three fatalities.
Additionally, five other passengers on the ship, excluding the French national, have become seriously ill with hantavirus, which carries a 38% fatality rate.
CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharyya aimed to ease fears that isolated outbreaks could lead to pandemic scenarios like COVID-19, pointing out that previous hantavirus outbreaks have been effectively managed.
