French woman in intensive care as hantavirus outbreak spreads to 11 cases

A French woman repatriated from a cruise ship struck by hantavirus is in intensive care on a ventilator fighting a severe case of the rare disease, according to medical staff Tuesday.

The woman is one of five French cases linked to the outbreak, which has now grown to at least 11 confirmed infections. Hantavirus is a potentially fatal disease transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. The cruise ship origin suggests possible widespread exposure, raising public health concerns across multiple countries.