Two people quarantined in Finland due to possible hantavirus exposure
Kyiv • UNN
Two Finns are under a 42-day quarantine following potential contact with the virus during a flight. Currently, there are no symptoms, and the risk of illness is low.
Two Finnish citizens placed in quarantine due to potential hantavirus infection have remained asymptomatic throughout. This was reported by Liina Voutilainen, a leading expert at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), as cited by Yle and reported by UNN.
Details
Wednesday marks 18 days since their potential exposure. According to Voutilainen, symptoms appear in half of those infected during this specific period. After this point, the probability of developing the disease decreases.
She considers it unlikely that the individuals exposed to the virus could have infected others.
Voutilainen explained that during an epidemiological investigation of the Andes-type hantavirus, contacts are traced for the two days prior to the onset of symptoms.
On Monday, Finland classified hantavirus as a particularly dangerous infectious disease, which allowed for the official placement of individuals at risk of infection into quarantine.
The decision regarding quarantine is made by regional health authorities.
The duration of the quarantine is 42 days from the moment of potential exposure. The Finns may have been exposed to the virus on April 25 during a flight.
According to the authorities, the risk of infection in Finland is extremely low, and there are currently no confirmed cases of infection.
Reminder
A Spaniard from the MV Hondius liner has been confirmed to have hantavirus; his condition is stable. The WHO reports 11 cases of infection and three deaths among the ship's passengers.