France's Pasteur Institute has fully sequenced the Andes virus detected in a French passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship and found that it matches viruses already known in South America, with no evidence so far of new characteristics that would make it more transmissible or more dangerous.
No Evidence of Increased Risk
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said on X that the analyzed virus corresponds to the viruses already known and monitored in South America. At this stage, no element suggests the emergence of a form of the virus that could be more transmissible or more dangerous.
Pasteur confirmed that genomic analysis showed the virus found in the French passenger matched the virus detected in other cases aboard the ship and closely resembled known Andes virus samples circulating in South America.
Sequencing Details
Rist stated that this sequencing work allows for a better understanding of the virus and ensures close health monitoring. The data will be shared with the international scientific community.
Pasteur noted that the viruses detected in patients from the ship were identical to each other and about 97% similar to some Andes viruses circulating in South America, including those identified in rodents. Jean-Claude Manuguerra, head of Pasteur's Environment and Infectious Risk unit, said the remaining variation appeared to reflect natural viral variation and did not seem to affect the characteristics of the virus detected among travelers.
Patient Condition and Ongoing Investigations
The French passenger tested positive after traveling aboard the MV Hondius and has been treated in Paris. French authorities previously said she was in serious condition.
Pasteur said virological investigations were continuing with French health authorities and international partners.
