France confirmed a case of Andes hantavirus in a Franco-Argentine tourist, after which health services began searching for people who may have been in contact with him.
A Franco-Argentine patient infected with the Andes strain of hantavirus was in France during the second half of July. He later self-isolated with his family in Spain, where he tested positive this week. This was reported by the French Ministry of Health. The patient resides in Argentina and during his stay in France visited the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Île-de-France, and Normandy. Currently, authorities are establishing his circle of contacts, although the disease is mild.
The French Ministry of Health reported that “the Andes strain was confirmed by the National Reference Center (CNR) on Thursday, August 6“. The statement also notes: “Health authorities were informed of a case of hantavirus in France. The Andes strain was confirmed by the National Reference Center (CNR). The patient, who is in isolation with his family in Spain, traveled through France during the second half of July. He had mild symptoms, which have already disappeared. All necessary measures are being taken for his treatment and to trace his travel route”.
“Today at 15:00, a group of scientific experts together with the General Directorate of Public Health of France will meet to determine the next steps and necessary response measures regarding this imported case. Coordination is also being carried out at the European level. Health authorities are fully mobilized and will regularly inform about the development of the situation”, the ministry added.
What is known about hantavirus
Hantavirus is transmitted from infected rodents, mainly through inhalation of dust contaminated with their urine or feces. It is a rare but potentially fatal disease. In humans, different strains of hantavirus can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (mainly in Europe and Asia) or cardiopulmonary syndrome (mainly in the Americas, which is more severe). In total, about 140 types of hantaviruses are known, including the Andes strain.
The Andes hantavirus, which originates from South America, is distinguished by its rare ability to be transmitted from person to person through close and prolonged contact. The incubation period lasts from one to six weeks, after which symptoms similar to the flu usually appear: fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, kidney damage or acute respiratory failure is possible. The Franco-Argentine patient had only mild symptoms and has now recovered. “All necessary measures have been taken for his treatment and to trace his travel route”, the French Ministry of Health noted.
No connection to the outbreak on the cruise liner
The French authorities do not link this case to the outbreak on the cruise liner “MV Hondius”, which departed from Argentina in April. At that time, the disease took the lives of three people, and at least 13 people were infected. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of this outbreak in early July, after the last patient was discharged from quarantine.
Although only 13 cases were confirmed during the outbreak on the “MV Hondius”, tens of thousands of hantavirus infections are recorded worldwide each year. The vast majority of them are associated with direct contact with infected rodents, not human-to-human transmission. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for this disease. The last patient, who was infected during the outbreak on the liner, was discharged from a French hospital today after several months in the intensive care unit.
Source: Clarín
