French Female Passenger from Cruise Ship Confirmed with Severe Hantavirus, Intubated in ICU
A French woman repatriated from a Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship is in the ICU, intubated and battling severe cardiopulmonary symptoms. She was among passengers from the MV Hondius, which has seen three deaths from the virus. The French government has announced a strict response plan and called for enhanced cooperation with the WHO.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 18:23
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, 12th, Comprehensive foreign reports) French doctors said today that a French woman repatriated from a cruise ship where a Hantavirus outbreak occurred is currently fighting for her life in the intensive care unit, receiving intubated treatment.
Agence France-Presse reported that the woman is one of five French travelers evacuated from the "MV Hondius" and repatriated to Paris for isolation. She began to feel severely unwell on the evening of the 10th, and subsequent tests confirmed positive results.
French doctor Xavier Lescure stated at a press conference of the Ministry of Health: "The patient currently presents with severe cardiopulmonary symptoms. She is using an artificial lung and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and we hope this will help her through this phase."
He added that the patient is over 65 years old and has underlying medical conditions, but did not disclose further details.
The "MV Hondius" has already seen three passenger fatalities, an elderly Dutch couple and a German woman; several other travelers have also contracted the disease, which is typically transmitted among rodents.
Hantavirus currently has no vaccine or specific treatment, and it is endemic in Argentina, where the cruise ship departed in April.
French President Emmanuel Macron said today in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the French government has "everything under control" regarding the Hantavirus situation.
Macron pointed out at the Nairobi press conference that France has adopted an "extremely strict response plan" based on expert recommendations, and called on European countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen coordination.
He emphasized: "The government has made the right decisions, and with the efforts of authorities and medical staff, the situation is under control."
Macron also encouraged the public to maintain "mobilization, vigilance, and high standards" but warned against comparison with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease). He noted that Hantavirus is a "known virus," unlike COVID-19, which caused a global pandemic. (Compiled by: Liu Shuqin) 1150513
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(Central News Agency, Paris, 12th, Comprehensive foreign reports) French doctors said today that a French woman repatriated from a cruise ship where a Hantavirus outbreak occurred is currently fighting for her life in the intensive care unit, receiving intubated treatment.
Agence France-Presse reported that the woman is one of five French travelers evacuated from the "MV Hondius" and repatriated to Paris for isolation. She began to feel severely unwell on the evening of the 10th, and subsequent tests confirmed positive results.
French doctor Xavier Lescure stated at a press conference of the Ministry of Health: "The patient currently presents with severe cardiopulmonary symptoms. She is using an artificial lung and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and we hope this will help her through this phase."
He added that the patient is over 65 years old and has underlying medical conditions, but did not disclose further details.
The "MV Hondius" has already seen three passenger fatalities, an elderly Dutch couple and a German woman; several other travelers have also contracted the disease, which is typically transmitted among rodents.
Hantavirus currently has no vaccine or specific treatment, and it is endemic in Argentina, where the cruise ship departed in April.
French President Emmanuel Macron said today in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the French government has "everything under control" regarding the Hantavirus situation.
Macron pointed out at the Nairobi press conference that France has adopted an "extremely strict response plan" based on expert recommendations, and called on European countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen coordination.
He emphasized: "The government has made the right decisions, and with the efforts of authorities and medical staff, the situation is under control."
Macron also encouraged the public to maintain "mobilization, vigilance, and high standards" but warned against comparison with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease). He noted that Hantavirus is a "known virus," unlike COVID-19, which caused a global pandemic. (Compiled by: Liu Shuqin) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
This website's text, images, and audio/video may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.