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Hantavirus Scare: Alicante Woman Tested After Cruise Ship Contact
8 May
Summary
- A woman in Alicante, Spain, has symptoms consistent with hantavirus.
- She was on the same flight as a patient who died from the virus.
- The Andes strain of hantavirus, rare human-to-human spread, was identified.
A potential hantavirus case is under investigation in Alicante, Spain, as a 32-year-old woman presents with symptoms indicative of the infection. Health officials confirmed on Friday that the woman is being tested, with results expected within 24 to 48 hours.
This development is linked to a patient who died in Johannesburg after traveling on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The woman in Alicante was seated two rows behind the infected passenger on the same flight. The Andes strain of hantavirus, known for its rare human-to-human transmission capabilities, was identified on the ship.
The woman is experiencing mild respiratory symptoms and is currently hospitalized in Alicante. Regional health authorities are actively tracing individuals she may have come into contact with over the past few days to prevent further spread. The risk of transmission is considered low, typically requiring close contact.
