First hantavirus case in France

French doctors have confirmed hantavirus infection in a citizen of the country evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius.

This was reported by French Health Minister Stephanie Rist on the radio station France Inter.

"Tests for hantavirus came back positive," she said, referring to the woman who had previously shown symptoms of the disease caused by the virus. The minister confirmed that the woman, along with several other French citizens, was on board the ship. According to her, the passenger's condition worsened overnight after returning to France by plane on May 10.

"The patient is being treated in a hospital specializing in infectious diseases, where a number of protective measures have been taken in the wards, obviously to prevent the spread of the virus," Rist said. She added that in France, authorities have identified 22 people who had contact with those infected with hantavirus.

Earlier, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised that the French government would take appropriate measures to protect the country's population from hantavirus.

Source: TASS