A French passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship is in intensive care in Paris with the most severe cardiopulmonary form of Andes hantavirus. She is receiving artificial oxygenation via an artificial lung. Emmanuel Macron stated that the situation is under control.
The patient, repatriated on Sunday, has a severe form of the disease. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital, explained at a press conference at the Ministry of Health that "the patient today has the most severe form of the cardiopulmonary presentation" and that an "artificial lung" ensures her oxygenation in the hope of "passing this stage".
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the four other French nationals repatriated are doing well and have tested negative. In total, 22 contact cases have been identified in France. They are all hospitalized or in the process of hospitalization for monitoring of at least 15 days.
Emmanuel Macron, speaking from Kenya, reassured: "The situation is under control." The World Health Organization has confirmed nine cases worldwide in total, all linked to the ship. The minister ruled out any diffuse circulation of the virus on national territory.
