Paris, 11 May (H.S.): The French government has confirmed that one passenger among five French citizens repatriated from Tenerife, Spain, exhibited symptoms resembling hantavirus during the flight, prompting authorities to place all five in stringent isolation as a precaution.

Prime Minister Sébastien Le Cornu announced on the social media platform X that health security protocols were immediately activated upon identifying the symptomatic traveler. He stated that the individuals are being kept apart and subjected to continuous medical surveillance to mitigate any risks.

According to the Prime Minister, comprehensive health assessments and laboratory tests will be conducted on the passengers to verify infection and forestall potential threats. The government is prioritizing public safety, with contact tracing already underway for those who may have been exposed.

French authorities are preparing special isolation measures for close contacts, and an official directive is expected imminently. Meanwhile, the health ministry has urged the public to remain vigilant rather than panic, assuring that the situation is under constant monitoring with all necessary steps to contain the virus.

Hantavirus, a rare yet severe infection typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, manifests in symptoms such as high fever, headaches, muscle aches, respiratory distress, and in critical cases, pulmonary complications.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar