European Commission Receives Emergency Favipiravir Doses for Hantavirus Patients in France, Spain, Netherlands

The European Commission said the EU received an emergency shipment of an experimental antiviral drug for potential use against Hantavirus infections, under a cooperation arrangement with Japan.

“EU receives experimental Hantavirus treatment doses Drug not approved for treatment, authorities consider it for compassionate use, clinical investigation Melike Pala 28 May 2026•Update: 28 May 2026 BRUSSELS The EU received an emergency shipment Thursday of an experimental antiviral drug for the potential use against Hantavirus infections, under a cooperation arrangement with Japan, according to a statement released by the European Commission”

Anadolu Ajansı

The Commission said a total of 1,400 tablets of the antiviral Favipiravir are being delivered to France, Spain, and the Netherlands for patients or clinical trials under national protocols, while the European Medicines Agency has identified it as a candidate for compassionate use or clinical investigation.

Anadolu Ajansı

EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said, "Thanks to close cooperation between the EU, Member States and our Japanese partners, we were able to rapidly secure access to potentially life-saving Hantavirus treatments for European patients," as the EU Commission said it has been in contact with member states since an outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Anadolu Ajansı report also said the bloc is launching emergency procurement procedures to secure additional doses if needed, as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness in case of additional cases in the coming weeks.

Anadolu Ajansı added that the strain responsible for the current outbreak, the Andes virus, can spread between humans through prolonged close contact, often in enclosed settings.

Australia extended quarantine for repatriated passengers from the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak, with Health Minister Mark Butler saying the quarantine period will be extended to 42 days total until June 23.

The Straits Times reported that four Australian citizens, a permanent resident and one resident of New Zealand have been quarantined at a facility near Perth in Western Australia since returning on May 15, after being initially due to remain there until June 5.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Butler said, "The passengers have been informed about the advice and the decision of government. I’m happy to say they remain well," as the Reuters account described the decision as based on advice from authorities.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said six people who were on the cruise ship had their quarantine period in the outer Perth suburb of Bullsbrook extended until June 23 and that the six arrived at the Centre for National Resilience in Bullsbrook on May 15.

The ABC reported that Butler said two additional reports of hantavirus infections connected with the cruise ship on the weekend meant it was appropriate for the quarantine arrangement to remain in place for the rest of the 42-day incubation period to June 23.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the two recent cases include a crew member and a passenger onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, bringing the total cases to 13.

“Health News Fitness Healthy Diet Diseases Weight Management Web Stories Heart Health Family Health Women's Health Mental Health Trending Stories Hantavirus Outbreak: Australia Extends Cruise Passenger Quarantine Australia's health minister said on Thursday the quarantine period for repatriated passengers on a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak will be extended to 42 days total until June 23”

NDTV

It also said three people have died from the virus since the outbreak onboard the Dutch vessel, while noting that the variant linked to the outbreak, the Andes hantavirus, is the only strain known to be transmitted from person to person.

The Independent reported that the outbreak on the MV Hondius, which sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde, affected at least 11 passengers and resulted in three deaths.

The Independent described the virus as transmitted through rodent waste and said a British national was medically evacuated to the UK while the cruise ship undergoes cleaning in Rotterdam.

In parallel, the EU Commission said it is coordinating deployment of the antiviral upon requests from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Anadolu Ajansı report said the EU received the shipment through a donation from Fujifilm Pharmaceuticals in Japan facilitated by Japanese authorities and the EU Delegation in Tokyo.