France reports 22 hantavirus contacts, one patient in intensive care; government stresses transparency

France reported 22 contact cases of hantavirus on May 13, with one patient in intensive care, as the government adopted a strategy of transparency to avoid public panic.

The government is holding daily interministerial meetings and press conferences to keep the public informed. Many French people interviewed on May 13 expressed reassurance, citing their experience with the coronavirus pandemic. "On a subi le coronavirus, donc on sait ce que c'est" (We went through coronavirus, so we know what it is), one man said. Another man said he had "aucune" (no) concern and described quarantine as "une solution qui peut être, je pense, efficace" (a solution that can be, I think, effective).

Some residents remain cautious. One woman said she would consider wearing a mask again due to vulnerable family members: "Ayant des personnes assez vulnérables dans ma famille, je pense que bientôt, oui, il faudra" (Having fairly vulnerable people in my family, I think that soon, yes, it will be necessary).

Emmanuel Rivière, consultant and opinion specialist, said: "La transparence, là, est clé" (Transparency, there, is key). "Les citoyens veulent être considérés comme des adultes, y compris pour qu'on leur dise qu'on ne sait pas tout et, du coup, en fonction de ce qu'on sait, voilà ce qu'on décide. Et quand on en saura un peu plus, on pourra décider autre chose, et puis on vous le dira" (Citizens want to be treated as adults, including being told that we don't know everything and, consequently, based on what we know, here is what we decide. And when we know a bit more, we can decide something else, and then we will tell you).

France has implemented some of the most restrictive measures among countries and calls on European and global neighbors to exercise vigilance.