French hantavirus patient is critically ill and on an artificial lung as outbreak grows to 11

May 13, 2026 - 07:38

A French national infected with hantavirus is now in critical condition and has been placed on an artificial lung, as the outbreak tied to a recent cruise ship has grown to 11 confirmed cases. The patient, whose identity has not been released, is receiving intensive care in a hospital in France after being evacuated from the vessel. Health authorities report that the virus, which can cause severe respiratory distress, has spread among passengers and crew members.

The outbreak has already claimed three lives, including a Dutch couple who are believed to have been the first to contract the virus during a stop in South America. Officials suspect the couple were exposed to rodent droppings or urine, the primary transmission route for hantavirus, while onshore. The third fatality was a separate passenger who died shortly after returning home.

The cruise ship, which had been traveling along the coast of South America, was placed under quarantine after the initial cases emerged. Passengers were tested and isolated, but the virus has continued to appear in new individuals. The French patient's condition has worsened despite medical intervention, leading to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, a machine that takes over the function of the heart and lungs.

Global health agencies are now coordinating with local governments to track the spread and provide guidance. The outbreak has raised concerns about the risks of rodent-borne diseases in popular tourist regions. Authorities are urging travelers to avoid contact with rodents and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms like fever, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing develop. The investigation into the exact source of the exposure is ongoing.