Since the first confirmed case in France, the word “hantavirus” has caused concern. But what exactly are we talking about? What are the first signs to watch out for and the real risk for the French? Professor Emmanuel Piednoir, infectious disease specialist at the University of Caen Normandy, answered our questions.
Fever, headache, body aches… At first glance, the symptoms of hantavirus resemble those of a common flu. This is precisely what makes him treacherous and what makes knowing his warning signs so important.
Two families of viruses, two very different realities
Everything starts from a fundamental distinction that Professor Emmanuel Piednoir, infectious disease specialist at the University of Caen Normandy, reminds us. “There are hantaviruses from the Old World, present in Europe, and those from the New World, in America. They are not the same diseases.” The former cause kidney damage, with a mortality of less than 1%. The latter – including the Andean hantavirus, involved in the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius – can cause severe cardio-respiratory failure, with a rate of lethality of up to 30 to 60%.
How does it start?
Symptoms usually appear between one and six weeks after exposure. “It’s a viral illness, it starts with fever, body aches”explains Professor Piednoir. These first signs may include headaches, a mild cough and gastrointestinal disturbances. For American viruses, the disease can then progress quickly to serious respiratory and cardiac manifestations. The first patient to die on board the MV Hondius initially presented with a fever and headache – before his condition suddenly deteriorated in just a few days.
“The quicker the treatment, the better the prognosis.”
Consulting early makes the difference. “The quicker the treatment, the better the prognosis will be.” tells us Virginie Sauvage, specialist at the Pasteur Institute. In case of severe pulmonary form, treatment is based on oxygen therapy in intensive care. To date, there is no neither vaccine nor treatment specific against the virus.
Should we be worried in France?
No, Professor Piednoir decides. “In France, there is no outbreak of hantavirus from the Americas. These are not viruses that are found on French soil.” The few cases recorded each year in the territory concern a much less serious form, with renal involvement, with almost zero mortality. Vigilance is nevertheless necessary for contact cases, to ensure that the Andean hantavirus does not take hold in our territory. A French woman tested positive and is hospitalized in Paris.
As for the 42-day quarantine imposed on the 22 contact cases? It corresponds to the maximum known incubation period of the virus. “It is reasonable to assume that they will not be contaminated, but we cannot be certain – so it is a fully justified precaution,” explains the infectious disease specialist. The power of human-to-human transmission of the hantavirus remains incommensurate with that of the flu or Covid: transmission between humans exists, but only in the event of close and prolonged contact, and the main reservoir of the virus remains rodents. “I am not worried but I remain extremely vigilant”concludes Professor Piednoir.
Thanks to Professor Emmanuel Piednoir, infectious disease specialist at the University of Caen Normandy. Exclusive comments for Le Journal des Femmes.
