A WOMAN is currently isolating in an Alicante hospital in Spain’s first suspected case of hantavirus, after the patient display symptoms following contact with a deceased passenger from MV Hondius.
Health authorities confirmed the 32-year-old was hospitalised as a precautionary measure.
The alert was issued after the Alicante resident developed mild respiratory symptoms.
She had been in contact with a passenger from the cruise ship MV Hondius, who later died in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Health secretary Javier Padilla said in a press conference on Friday that the woman travelled on the same flight as the deceased passenger.
The patient has been placed in a negative pressure isolation room in a hospital in the province of Alicante, while showing mild symptoms.
“The person reported compatible symptoms, mainly cough-related symptoms, but general well-being, while at their family home in Alicante,” Padilla said.
“We immediately contacted the Spanish Directorate General of Public Health and arranged for their safe and preventative transfer to a hospital.”
Clinical samples will be taken and analysed by the National Microbiology Centre, with results expected within 24 to 48 hours.
The Valencia Regional Health Department confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation.
Officials said the case was identified after an alert from the European Alert System.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious infectious disease transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents.
An outbreak of the virus was detected last week on the cruise ship that departed from Argentina.
Since then, three people have died and multiple cases have been discovered, prompting fears of a wider outbreak.
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