Evacuated US and French MV Hondius passengers test positive for hantavirus

A French passenger repatriated from the MV Hondius outbreak has tested positive for hantavirus, and U.S. officials say an American evacuee also tested positive.

The new confirmed cases come as public-health agencies continue to say the wider public risk remains low, even as they tighten monitoring of exposed travelers.

What officials have said

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said on May 11 that the French passenger tested positive and was in serious condition. Reuters reported that French authorities traced 22 contact cases and put exposed travelers under quarantine or isolation measures.

U.S. officials said an American passenger flown to Nebraska from the outbreak also tested positive, while another evacuee had mild symptoms.

Background on the outbreak

WHO said on May 7 that the MV Hondius cluster had eight reported cases, including three deaths, and assessed the public health risk as low.

The CDC said on May 6 that the U.S. government was closely monitoring travelers from the ship and that the risk to the American public was extremely low.

Why it matters

The positive tests show that the outbreak response is still active across multiple countries as travelers return home and remain under follow-up.

For now, health authorities are focused on contact tracing, quarantine and monitoring rather than on any sign of wider community spread.