France urges EU-wide action to contain hantavirus spread

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for stronger coordination among European Union member states to combat the spread of hantavirus following the outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Lecornu made the appeal in a post on X, stressing that enhanced international cooperation is essential to containing the virus and preventing further transmission across Europe, Caliber.Az reports.

Face au risque sanitaire lié à l’Hantavirus, une meilleure coordination internationale est indispensable.

J’ai demandé aux Ministres de renforcer immédiatement la coopération avec les Etats voisins et de pousser à une coordination plus étroite des protocoles sanitaires mis en…

— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) May 12, 2026

The French prime minister urged authorities to “strengthen cooperation with neighboring states and seek closer coordination of health protocols in force within the European Union and the Schengen area.”

“To break any potential chains of transmission, information, decisions, and lessons learned must be shared as quickly as possible,” he stated.

Lecornu emphasized that improved coordination between European governments is critical as health authorities continue monitoring passengers connected to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius.

He also noted that French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist had already contacted her counterparts across Europe to discuss the public health measures adopted by the French government in response to the situation.

By Vafa Guliyeva