'No evidence' of widespread hantavirus circulation in France, health minister says
Summary
France's health minister said there is no proof that hantavirus is spreading widely in the country after cases appeared on a cruise ship. Health officials are monitoring close contacts and working to understand the virus strain, which may not have changed from known versions.Key Facts
- France's Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated there is no evidence of widespread hantavirus in France.
- 22 close contacts of infected passengers have been identified and are being monitored or treated.
- The virus strain involved is linked to the Andes hantavirus strain, previously seen in Argentina.
- Officials have not yet confirmed if the virus strain on the MV Hondius cruise ship has mutated.
- The World Health Organization sees no unusual features in this hantavirus strain beyond its location.
- One French woman infected is in intensive care with a severe lung and heart condition caused by the virus.
- Three passengers from the cruise ship (two Dutch and one German) have died from the virus.
- France has put strict safety protocols in place to control the situation and limit spread.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.