Amidst a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius in the Netherlands, 12 medical workers have been quarantined after coming into contact with biological materials from an infected patient. This was reported by UNN with reference to Reuters.
The World Health Organization, in turn, reports nine confirmed cases and warns of the possible detection of new patients due to the long incubation period, it is reported.
Details
At the Radboudumc hospital in the city of Nijmegen, 12 staff members were placed under a six-week quarantine after they came into contact with the blood and urine of a hantavirus-infected patient and failed to follow safety protocols.
Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans explained that the medics followed strict procedures, but not the specific protocols applied specifically in cases involving this strain of hantavirus.
According to her, the probability of staff infection is low, but due to the danger of the virus, the hospital decided to act with maximum caution.
The medical facility, for its part, stated that the risk of infection remains very low, and the hospital continues to operate as usual.
WHO reported new cases of hantavirus
The World Health Organization has increased the number of confirmed hantavirus cases to nine. This is two more than reported the day before.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that there are currently no signs of a large-scale outbreak starting, but new cases may appear in the coming weeks due to the virus's long incubation period.
The WHO also confirmed two more suspected hantavirus infections. One patient died before testing could be conducted, and another case was recorded on the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, where tests were unavailable.
It is not yet known whether the hantavirus has mutated - French Ministry of Health12.05.26, 17:04
Outbreak linked to the liner Hondius
The hantavirus outbreak is linked to the cruise ship Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.
After disembarking passengers in the Canary Islands, the vessel set off for the Netherlands with 25 crew members, a doctor, and a nurse on board. The liner is expected to arrive in the country by May 17.
Two planes also arrived in the Netherlands carrying 28 passengers and crew members who left the ship in the Canary Islands. Some of them will continue their journey to their home countries.
Since the start of the outbreak, three people have died — a married couple from the Netherlands and a German citizen.
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New hantavirus cases in Spain, France, and the USA
In Spain, one of the 14 people quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid tested positive for hantavirus. The patient developed a fever and respiratory problems, but his condition is assessed as stable.
The other 13 people received negative results after final tests.
Among the confirmed cases is also a French passenger who was found to have the virus after the liner arrived in the Canary Islands. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that the patient is currently in intensive care, but his condition is stable.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that 18 Hondius passengers were transported to the U.S. and placed in quarantine. One passenger with a weak-positive test result is in a special biocontainment unit in the state of Nebraska.
WHO Head states increase in hantavirus cases is expected12.05.26, 12:18
What is known about the virus
Hantavirus usually spreads through wild rodents. In rare cases, human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact.
The WHO emphasizes that the current situation is not similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all suspected cases are under strict medical supervision.
WHO Chief: No signs that we are at the beginning of a larger hantavirus outbreak12.05.26, 11:42
Reminder
Two Finns are under a 42-day quarantine after possible contact with the virus during a flight. Currently, there are no symptoms, and the risk of illness is low.