Hantavirus Spreads: What is the Current Situation

Eight passengers aboard the "Hondius" cruise ship have tested positive for hantavirus. In total, around 150 people were on the ship.

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced, "A French woman's test has come back positive. Symptoms of hantavirus had previously appeared, and her condition is gradually worsening." The other four French passengers evacuated from the "Hondius" tested negative.

Symptoms of hantavirus have also been detected in two of the 17 Americans who were on board the ship. One patient has recorded a weak positive test for hantavirus, while the second patient's virus status has not yet been confirmed, as stated by the U.S. Department of Health.

The World Health Organization had previously reported that there were eight patients from the "Hondius," with hantavirus confirmed in six of them. The number of patients has now risen to 11, and the confirmed infections stand at eight cases.

It has been reported that three people have died: a married couple from the Netherlands and a citizen of Germany.