France says cruise ship Andes virus matches recognized South American viruses

PARIS (AP) — France’s Pasteur Institute mentioned it has totally sequenced the Andes virus detected in a French passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship and located that it matched viruses already recognized in South America, with no proof up to now of latest traits that will make it extra transmissible or extra harmful.

“The analyzed virus corresponds to the viruses already known and monitored in South America,” Health Minister Stéphanie Rist mentioned Friday on X. “At this stage, no element suggests the emergence” of a type of the virus that could possibly be extra transmissible or extra harmful, she mentioned.

Pasteur mentioned genomic evaluation confirmed that the virus discovered within the French passenger matched the virus detected in different instances aboard the ship and carefully resembled recognized Andes virus samples circulating in South America.

“This sequencing work allows us to better understand the virus and to ensure close health monitoring,” Rist mentioned. She added that the information could be shared with the worldwide scientific group.

Pasteur mentioned the viruses detected in sufferers from the ship had been similar to one another and about 97% just like some Andes viruses circulating in South America, together with these recognized in rodents. Jean-Claude Manuguerra, who heads Pasteur’s Environment and Infectious Risk unit, mentioned the remaining variation appeared to mirror pure viral variation and didn’t appear to have an effect on the traits of the virus detected amongst vacationers.

The French passenger examined optimistic after touring aboard the MV Hondius and has been handled in Paris. French authorities beforehand mentioned she was in critical situation.

The outbreak on the ship has reached 11 instances, 9 of which have been confirmed. Three folks on the cruise died, together with a Dutch couple who well being officers imagine had been the primary uncovered to the virus whereas visiting South America.