World

A French passenger from hantavirus-hit ship has tested positive for the virus

By Reuters Reuters

Updated May 11, 2026 3:39 AM

Members of the media work at the port of Granadilla de Abona following the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay — Members of the media work at the port of Granadilla de Abona following the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay Hannah McKay Reuters

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PARIS - A French passenger who was on a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak has tested positive for the virus and her condition is deteriorating, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said on Monday.

The passenger was among five French people who were on the ship. The four other passengers tested negative but will be re-tested, she told France Inter radio, adding that so far French authorities have traced 22 contact cases.

"What is key, is to act at the start and break the virus transmission chains. This is what we are doing with the Prime Minister, notably with a decree that came out today that will allow us to strengthen isolation measures for contact cases and to protect the population," she said.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will hold a meeting on the hantavirus crisis later today.

Asked if France had enough masks and tests to cope with a potential crisis, Rist said: "Yes, France is ready."

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 2:50 AM.