France Records First Case of Hantavirus

French health authorities announced the registration of the first case of Hantavirus in the country. Hantaviruses are usually transmitted through rodents, but in rare cases can be transmitted from person to person. Health authorities confirmed that the risk of the virus spreading remains low. According to World Health Organization reports, eight people aboard a ship were infected with the disease, and six of them were confirmed to have the virus, while three of the infected died. The Andes strain of Hantavirus causes severe respiratory symptoms and can lead to death in up to half of the cases.