France under tight restrictions as hantavirus risk grows
Quarantine is mandatory for everyone who has been in contact with infected individuals (Photo: Getty Images)
One of the five French passengers repatriated from the cruise ship MV Hondius is in the intensive care unit of the Bichat hospital in stable condition. Another eight French citizens who flew on the same flight as the infected person have been placed under enhanced quarantine in hospital settings, states French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Read also: Hantavirus after COVID: Could cruise ship outbreak become new global threat?
Condition of the passengers
Of the five repatriated French citizens, four have tested negative for hantavirus. One citizen who tested positive is in intensive care, in stable condition.
Eight under enhanced isolation
Eight French citizens who flew on the same flight as an infected person 15 days ago have been identified as high-risk contacts and placed under enhanced quarantine in a hospital environment. None of them are showing symptoms.
Lecornu emphasized: enhanced isolation in hospital conditions is for all contact persons without exception. Two interdepartmental coordination meetings will be held daily at the Matignon residence of the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Tenerife over the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius. Amid concerns from local residents, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for calm.
He assured the islanders that this outbreak does not have the potential to become another COVID, as the situation remains under control.
