France has imposed a 42-day lockdown following the detection of hantavirus – Politico

France has implemented strict health measures and mandatory quarantine to prevent the spread of hantavirus after a case was confirmed in a woman who had returned from a cruise. According to a decree from the Ministry of Health, passengers and individuals at high risk of infection may be quarantined for up to 42 days. 

This was reported by Politico.

The infected French citizen tested positive on May 11 after being evacuated from the cruise ship, where an outbreak of the disease had previously been reported. The woman began experiencing symptoms during a repatriation flight on Sunday evening from Tenerife. She and four other passengers are currently under observation in Paris.

Health Minister Stephanie Rist noted that all individuals who came into contact with the patient will undergo retesting. The country’s authorities are working to quickly contain the threat, as the hantavirus poses a serious danger to the population. Medical personnel are currently monitoring the condition of all evacuees to prevent the virus from spreading further within the country.