Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus Outbreak: Critically Ill French Patient On Artificial Lung Support

A French woman infected with the deadly <span>hantavirus outbreak</span> linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship is critically ill and is being treated using an artificial lung.

The woman is among the passengers evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 people have been affected by the rat-borne virus so far, of whom three have died.

A Dutch couple is believed to have been first exposed to the virus while visiting a birdwatching site in Argentina.

The WHO has confirmed that the <span>Andes strain</span> of <span>hantavirus</span> — the only strain known to spread from person to person — is behind the outbreak.

<h2>Patient Suffers Severe Lung And Heart Complications</h2>

The French passenger, currently hospitalized in Paris, has developed a severe form of the disease that has caused life-threatening lung and heart complications, Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital, told AP News Agency.

He explained that “the woman is on a life-support device that pumps blood through an artificial lung, providing it with oxygen and returning it to the body. The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover.”

Lescure described it as “the final stage of supportive care.”

With the evacuation of all passengers and many crew members completed, the MV Hondius is now sailing back to the Netherlands, where it will undergo cleaning and disinfection.

<strong>Also read:</strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/india-better-prepared-for-hantavirus-outbreaks-after-covid-19-experience-says-dr-nk-ganguly-exclusive-article-154312148" data-type="tilCustomLink"> India Better Prepared For Hantavirus Outbreaks After COVID-19 Experience, Says Dr NK Ganguly | Exclusive</a>

<h2>Hantavirus: No Pandemic Potential</h2>

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, and former field epidemiologist in the Indian Armed Forces, said hantavirus does not spread easily from person to person.

Unlike <span>COVID-19</span>, it does not have significant aerosol or pandemic potential. Only certain strains, such as the Andes strain identified in South America, have shown limited person-to-person transmission, usually through very close or intimate contact involving body fluids.

Not Just On A Cruise: Is Hantavirus Already In Your House? #shorts #shortsfeed

“That is why the husband and wife may both have become infected. Even then, transmission is rare and requires prolonged close exposure. Basic precautions are generally sufficient, and asymptomatic individuals are unlikely to transmit the infection,” he said.

Dr. Amitav added that hantavirus does not have pandemic potential under natural conditions because it spreads poorly between humans and remains largely linked to rodent exposure.

<h2>Hantavirus: How to Prevent The Risk</h2>

Dr. Jatin Ahuja, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that the general public has no reason for alarm.

“Hantavirus infections remain rare globally, and awareness about rodent control and early symptom recognition continues to be the most effective approach,” he said.

He recommended simple preventive measures to significantly reduce risk.

“People should avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent-infested areas directly, as this may spread contaminated particles into the air. Instead, affected areas should be ventilated first and cleaned using disinfectants while wearing gloves and masks. Proper storage of food, sealing entry points for rodents, and maintaining hygiene in homes, warehouses, and workplaces are also important preventive steps,” the expert added.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

hantavirus outbreak

hantavirus

hantavirus in French Patient

hantavirus Pandemic

COVID-19

Andes strain

hantavirus-outbreak-critically-ill-french-patient-on-artificial-lung-support

roche-pharma-launches-7-minute-injectable-immunotherapy-for-lung-cancer-in-india

Roche Pharma Launches 7-Minute Injectable Immunotherapy For Lung Cancer In India

Why Rebranding PCOS As PMOS Could Mark A New Era In Women’s Health

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

A French woman infected with the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship is critically ill and is being treated using an artificial lung.The woman is among the passengers evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 people have been affected by the rat-borne virus so far, of whom three have died.A Dutch couple is believed to have been first exposed to the virus while visiting a birdwatching site in Argentina.The WHO has confirmed that the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only strain known to spread from person to person — is behind the outbreak.Patient Suffers Severe Lung And Heart ComplicationsThe French passenger, currently hospitalized in Paris, has developed a severe form of the disease that has caused life-threatening lung and heart complications, Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital, told AP News Agency.He explained that “the woman is on a life-support device that pumps blood through an artificial lung, providing it with oxygen and returning it to the body. The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover.”Lescure described it as “the final stage of supportive care.”With the evacuation of all passengers and many crew members completed, the MV Hondius is now sailing back to the Netherlands, where it will undergo cleaning and disinfection.Also read: India Better Prepared For Hantavirus Outbreaks After COVID-19 Experience, Says Dr NK Ganguly | ExclusiveHantavirus: No Pandemic PotentialSpeaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, and former field epidemiologist in the Indian Armed Forces, said hantavirus does not spread easily from person to person.Unlike COVID-19, it does not have significant aerosol or pandemic potential. Only certain strains, such as the Andes strain identified in South America, have shown limited person-to-person transmission, usually through very close or intimate contact involving body fluids.“That is why the husband and wife may both have become infected. Even then, transmission is rare and requires prolonged close exposure. Basic precautions are generally sufficient, and asymptomatic individuals are unlikely to transmit the infection,” he said.Dr. Amitav added that hantavirus does not have pandemic potential under natural conditions because it spreads poorly between humans and remains largely linked to rodent exposure. Hantavirus: How to Prevent The RiskDr. Jatin Ahuja, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that the general public has no reason for alarm.“Hantavirus infections remain rare globally, and awareness about rodent control and early symptom recognition continues to be the most effective approach,” he said.He recommended simple preventive measures to significantly reduce risk.“People should avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent-infested areas directly, as this may spread contaminated particles into the air. Instead, affected areas should be ventilated first and cleaned using disinfectants while wearing gloves and masks. Proper storage of food, sealing entry points for rodents, and maintaining hygiene in homes, warehouses, and workplaces are also important preventive steps,” the expert added.

hantavirus outbreak: critically ill french patient on artificial lung support

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Hantavirus Outbreak: Critically Ill French Patient On Artificial Lung Support

India Gets Its First Alzheimer’s Drug: Know All About Eli Lilly’s Lormalzi

Another Norovirus Outbreak Confirmed Aboard Cruise Ship In France; Over 1,700 People Trapped

US Probing Possible Hantavirus Case In Illinois Not Linked To Cruise Ship Outbreak

Health Conditions A-Z

Hantavirus Outbreak: Critically Ill French Patient On Artificial Lung Support

Roche Pharma Launches 7-Minute Injectable Immunotherapy For Lung Cancer In India

Why Rebranding PCOS As PMOS Could Mark A New Era In Women’s Health