EU dispatches favipiravir for hantavirus

The International — European Commission announced the dispatch of the first doses of favipiravir, an experimental antiviral, to France, Spain, and the Netherlands for hantavirus treatment. This drug, identified by the European Union — European Medicines Agency as a plausible candidate, was donated by Fujifilm — Fujifilm in Japan. The European Union is also initiating emergency procurement for additional doses. The outbreak has affected thirteen people linked to a cruise ship, with cases reported in France, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, and South Africa. Three deaths have occurred. The Andes virus strain, responsible for the current outbreak, can spread between humans through close contact.