‘Final Stage Of Care’: Why A Cruise Passenger Is On An Artificial Lung As Hantavirus Cases Climb To 11

3 min readMay 13, 2026 11:37 PM IST

A French woman, who was diagnosed with hantavirus on a cruise ship, has been critically ill and is being treated with an artificial lung, a doctor at a Paris hospital said on Tuesday. The hantavirus outbreak has now infected 11 people, of which 9 cases have been confirmed.

Till now, at least three people have died due to the deadly virus, including a Dutch couple which the health officials believe were the first to be exposed to the virus while visiting South America.

According to Dr Xavier Lescure of Bichat Hospital, the French passenger hospitalised in Paris has a severe form of the disease which has caused life-threatening lung and heart issues.

A new suspected hantavirus case has emerged on Tristan da Cunha after the MV Hondius outbreak that killed three passengers and triggered global tracing efforts. ( File Photo)

The “Final Stage” of Supportive Care

The doctor added that the woman is on life-support system which pumps blood through an artificial lung, provides it with oxygen and then returns to the body, AP reported. The health officials hope the device relieves some pressure on heart and lungs in order for the organs to recover in some time. Dr Lescure said the process is known as “the final stage of supportive care.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus earlier said the confirmed and suspected cases of hantavirus have only been reported in the MV Hondius cruise ship’s crew or passengers.

Global Surveillance and New Cases

“At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak,” Ghebreyesus said. The WHO chief added, “But of course the situation could change, and given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks.”

Among the latest case of hantavirus being contracted, a Spanish passenger has tested positive after being evacuated from the cruise, Spain’s health ministry confirmed on Tuesday. The infected person remains in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid, AP reported.

Story continues below this ad

A Historic Outbreak on the High Seas

Health officials have said that it is the first instance of hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, while there’s no cure for the deadly virus, WHO has said if it detected early and treated, the survival chances improves.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.

A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.

All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.

Core Team

The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:

Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.

Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.

Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram

Watch The Full Video ➤