A French woman evacuated from a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has reportedly fallen into serious condition after initially showing no symptoms of the disease.
The woman was airlifted from the expedition cruise vessel near Tenerife on Sunday as a precautionary measure. At the time of the evacuation, she reportedly did not display the flu-like symptoms commonly associated with hantavirus infections.
However, French health authorities later confirmed that her condition deteriorated rapidly overnight.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told local media that the woman’s symptoms had worsened significantly, raising fresh concerns over the outbreak linked to the cruise.
The incident has drawn international attention as hantavirus infections are relatively rare but can become extremely dangerous if complications develop.
MULTIPLE DEATHS LINKED TO CRUISE
The outbreak has already claimed at least three lives aboard the expedition ship MV Hondius, which began its nearly six-week voyage from Argentina towards remote islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Among the victims was reportedly 70-year-old bird expert Leo Schilperoord, who had participated in birdwatching activities during the journey.
Reports indicated that Schilperoord had visited a landfill site in Argentina before rejoining the cruise, where he was believed to have been exposed to rodents carrying the virus.
Hantavirus is commonly transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. In severe cases, it can develop into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially fatal respiratory illness.
EARLY SYMPTOMS CAN BE MISLEADING
Medical experts warn that early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble ordinary flu infections, including fever, fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. In some cases, infected individuals may initially appear healthy before rapidly deteriorating.
This has raised concerns among health authorities monitoring passengers and crew members connected to the voyage.
Cruise tourism operators are also facing renewed scrutiny over biosecurity and health screening measures, particularly for expeditions involving remote wildlife regions where rodent exposure risks may be higher.
While hantavirus outbreaks remain uncommon globally, the latest incident has sparked wider conversations about travel insurance coverage, emergency medical evacuation procedures, and infectious disease preparedness within the luxury cruise industry.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the source of exposure and whether additional passengers may have been infected during the voyage.