The World Health Organization’s director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a warning for nations to brace for additional hantavirus cases, following a severe diagnosis of a French woman who was infected on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Authorities in Paris reported that the woman is currently on a ventilator due to the most critical form of the disease. Expressing gratitude to Spain for its humanitarian response by accepting the affected vessel, Tedros urged adherence to WHO guidelines, which include a 42-day quarantine and vigilant monitoring of individuals at high risk.
Speaking at a press conference in Madrid, Tedros noted that although there’s no immediate indication of a widespread outbreak, the lengthy incubation period of the virus means more cases could emerge in the near future. French health officials confirmed on Tuesday that the patient, a 65-year-old woman with pre-existing conditions, had been moved to intensive care with severe cardiopulmonary symptoms. Dr. Xavier Lescure, commenting on her critical condition, mentioned she is being supported with an artificial lung and blood bypass in hopes of recovery.
Meanwhile, the Spanish health ministry announced that one of the 14 Spaniards evacuated from the ship and quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid tested positive for hantavirus. This patient exhibited mild respiratory symptoms and a low-grade fever but remains stable without evident clinical deterioration, according to the ministry’s statement.
Tedros, alongside Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, explained that further cases are anticipated due to the extensive interaction among passengers before the initial alarm was raised and the first confirmed case on May 2. The index case aboard the ship was identified on April 6, and with a six to eight-week incubation period, it’s expected that more cases may arise due to the interactions before infection control measures were implemented.
Responsibility for the evacuees now lies with their individual countries, Tedros added, expressing hope that nations will care for the patients as well as ensure the safety of their populations. He emphasized the importance of supporting the afflicted passengers and maintaining protective measures to prevent further transmission.