French official warns foreign disinformation fuels hantavirus medical misinformation
Frédéric Valletoux, president of the social affairs committee of the National Assembly, said on May 15 that medical disinformation around the hantavirus is being fueled by foreign powers seeking to destabilize France. He noted a rise in public defiance toward scientific discourse, with false claims spreading within 48 hours of the outbreak. Valletoux defended the government's communication as transparent and prudent.
Frédéric Valletoux, president of the social affairs committee of the National Assembly and a Horizons deputy, said on May 15 that foreign powers are fueling medical disinformation around the hantavirus outbreak in an effort to destabilize France.
Speaking on the program "4 Vérités," Valletoux said "la désinformation médicale fait des ravages" and noted a rise in public defiance toward scientific discourse. "Il n'a pas fallu 48 heures pour que des gens comme Dupont-Aignan réapparaissent pour dire qu'on leur mentait," he said, referring to the rapid spread of false claims after the outbreak was reported.
Valletoux defended the government's communication tone as "la bonne depuis le début," describing it as transparent and prudent. He said 26 people who were contacts of hantavirus cases have tested negative but remain in hospital isolation and will continue to be tested at least three times per week. The incubation period for hantavirus can be up to six weeks, he noted. Passengers from the boat disembarked on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Valletoux said an expedition will go to Ushuaia, where the first outbreak occurred. He added that lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic have improved hospital preparedness, including the creation of mask stockpiles that did not exist in 2019-2020.
In a separate comment during the same interview, Valletoux said Édouard Philippe's first campaign meeting as candidate will be on July 5 in Paris.