Andes Hantavirus: Implementation of epidemiological investigations and contact tracing following the detection of an imported case in the country

Health authorities have been notified of a case of Andes hantavirus involving a traveler who passed through France. The Andes strain was confirmed by the CNR on Thursday, August 6. The patient, who is in isolation with his family in Spain, is a tourist who transited through France during the second half of July. The patient exhibited few symptoms and has since recovered. Epidemiological investigations were immediately launched to trace the patient’s movements within France and identify at-risk contacts (contact tracing).

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Contact tracing operations are conducted by Santé publique France, the regional health agencies, and the Directorate General for Health (DGS), based on guidelines issued by Santé publique France, the ANRS-MIE, and the national COREB task force.

Implementation of contact tracing

  • Santé publique France conducts investigations to trace the patient’s movements and compile a list of contacts, and assesses the risk to contacts based on their interactions with the case.
  • The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) in the contact persons’ places of residence are responsible for informing and monitoring them. They advise individuals on monitoring procedures and what to do if symptoms develop.
  • The Corruss unit of the Directorate General of Health (DGS) identifies contacts on transportation (flights/trains), particularly international ones, in coordination with the health authorities of the countries concerned, and organizes the provision of information and follow-up for these individuals.

Given the mild and non-severe nature of the case’s symptoms, as well as the very low viral load observed in the samples used for diagnosis, experts from ANRS-MIE, Coreb, and Santé publique France recommend that close contacts, particularly those in the immediate circle, self-isolate at home. This strategy is in line with the recommendations of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This patient has no connection to the Andes hantavirus outbreak that occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius last May, which had nearly 150 passengers of 23 nationalities on board. 
The Andes hantavirus is endemic in many South American countries.