Hantavirus case confirmed in tourist after France trip

French health authorities have confirmed a new case of hantavirus in a Franco-Argentine national who travelled in France during July before being placed in isolation in Spain.

The French health ministry said on Thursday that the patient initially showed only mild symptoms and is now symptom-free. Officials added that contact-tracing efforts are underway to identify the person's movements and any potential exposures.

The ministry said a panel of experts was due to meet later on Thursday to assess the situation and decide on further measures. It also confirmed that coordination with health authorities across Europe had been initiated.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the patient was infected with the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only known strain capable of spreading from person to person.

Authorities have not linked the latest case to the Andes strain outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship earlier this year, which prompted an international health alert.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak over in early July after the final patient completed quarantine.