Hantavirus Andes strain detected in Franco-Argentine tourist isolated in Spain after France transit

New case detected in Europe

A Franco-Argentine tourist who traveled through France in the second half of July has tested positive for the Andes variant of hantavirus, the French Ministry of Health announced on Thursday, 6 August. The patient, who showed only mild symptoms and is now symptom-free, has been isolated with his family in Spain. French authorities are retracing all stages of the person's journey and coordinating at European level, the ministry said. The French National Reference Centre confirmed the Andes variety, which is present in South America.

The Andes strain is the only one among the 140 known hantavirus types confirmed to transmit from person to person, through close and prolonged contact. Hantaviruses are transmitted primarily by infected rodents, through inhalation of dust contaminated by their urine or excrement. The disease is rare but grave, and can be fatal. After an incubation period of one to six weeks, infection typically begins with flu-like symptoms including fever, aches and fatigue. Severe forms can progress to kidney damage or severe respiratory distress. The Andes variant is fatal in 30 to 50% of cases. In humans, some hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, mainly in Europe and Asia, while others cause cardiopulmonary syndrome, mainly in the Americas and more severe.

Expert panel and contact tracing

The French health ministry convened a panel of scientific experts on Thursday afternoon to determine the response and management measures to put in place. All stages of the patient's journey are being retraced, and the ministry said "all measures" are being taken to reconstruct the itinerary. The ministry said further information would be released in the course of the evening.

No link has been established between this case and the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina in May 2026. Authorities have neither confirmed nor ruled out a connection.

MV Hondius outbreak

In May 2026, several passengers aboard the MV Hondius, which had departed from Argentina, developed severe forms of hantavirus illness. The investigation confirmed infection with the Andes virus. Passengers were monitored in several countries to identify potential secondary cases, and the outbreak was contained and declared over by the World Health Organization.

The number of people affected on the MV Hondius differs across sources. SudOuest reports eight people affected in total: six laboratory-confirmed cases and two considered probable, with three patients dying. German outlets ZEIT ONLINE and N-tv report that at least 13 people were infected and three died.

French survivor released from intensive care

The only French woman infected with hantavirus during the MV Hondius outbreak was released from intensive care on Thursday, 6 August, after nearly three months in a Paris hospital's intensive care unit. The retiree was repatriated in May in a serious condition alongside four other French nationals who never developed the disease. She has been transferred to a convalescence center, the health ministry told AFP.