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

PARIS, May 11 (Reuters) - 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.

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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 Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

“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

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