France reported its first case of hantavirus on Monday, May 11, 2026, when a French national evacuated from a virus-linked ship tested positive, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. The patient is one of five French passengers flown back from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which experienced an outbreak of the rare virus.
The MV Hondius, carrying 53 passengers and crew, was quarantined in the port of Ushuaia, Argentina, after several people fell ill with symptoms including fever and muscle aches. Hantavirus, which can cause severe respiratory issues, is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings or urine.
Minister Rist confirmed that the infected individual is receiving medical care in France, and authorities are monitoring the other evacuees for symptoms. The World Health Organization has been notified, and Argentine health officials are investigating the source of the outbreak on the ship.
This marks the first known case of hantavirus in France, though the disease is more common in the Americas. Experts say the risk of further spread in France is low, as the virus is not transmitted between humans.
