France Calls for Greater International Coordination Over Hantavirus Outbreak

(MENAFN) French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has called for stronger international cooperation in response to the hantavirus outbreak connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship, according to reports.

In a statement posted on social media, Lecornu said French authorities are seeking closer coordination with neighboring countries and wider alignment of health measures across the European Union and the Schengen Area. He stressed the importance of rapidly sharing information and public health responses in order to limit potential transmission.

According to reports, France’s health ministry has already been in contact with several European countries that received passengers from the affected vessel to coordinate containment strategies and exchange details on quarantine and monitoring procedures.

The outbreak has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare variant capable of human-to-human transmission under certain conditions. Health authorities say the disease is more commonly spread through exposure to infected rodents or contaminated environments.

Reports citing the World Health Organization state that the outbreak has so far resulted in 11 confirmed infections and three deaths.

French officials also confirmed that a French passenger evacuated from the cruise ship in Spain later tested positive for the virus and remains in intensive care in stable condition.

The evacuation effort involved passengers and crew members from 23 different countries, with varying quarantine and health protocols adopted by each nation.

Lecornu said France’s policy is to impose reinforced hospital-based quarantine measures for all identified contact cases without exception, reflecting concerns about containing further spread of the virus.

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