Hantavirus contacts advised to isolate as risk deemed low

French health authorities have recommended home isolation for people who had close contact with a Franco-Argentine tourist diagnosed with the Andes strain of hantavirus after travelling in France, while saying the risk of transmission is considered low.

The French health ministry said experts advised home isolation for contacts, particularly the closest contacts, because the patient had mild symptoms and a very low viral load. The ministry said tracing of potential at-risk contacts was continuing.

The case was confirmed on Thursday in a Franco-Argentine national who travelled in France in July. The patient is now isolating with family in Spain and has no symptoms, the ministry said.

Authorities said the period during which the patient may have been contagious was July 18-28. The ministry said the risk of transmission concerned only the closest contacts.

The Andes strain is the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans. It is initially transmitted to people by animals such as rodents and can cause severe pulmonary complications. The supplied health information says it is fatal in 30 to 40 percent of cases.

The French health ministry said the case was not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak in May 2026. That outbreak led to 13 identified cases, including three deaths, and the World Health Organization declared it over in early July after the last affected person left quarantine.