New hantavirus infection confirmed in Hondius crew member isolated in Netherlands
A new hantavirus infection tied to a cruise ship outbreak has been confirmed in a crew member who was repatriated to the Netherlands and is now in isolation, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reports that the patient had been in home quarantine before being admitted to the hospital, where the person is now in isolation. The infection was confirmed through laboratory testing conducted by RIVM and Erasmus MC, which carries out weekly testing of all quarantined individuals connected to the outbreak.
The WHO reports a total of 12 confirmed infections, including three deaths: two Dutch and one German. The infected crew member had reportedly been in close contact with sick individuals aboard the vessel before disembarking in Tenerife and being transported to the Netherlands.
Health authorities are monitoring more than 600 people across 30 countries. Health services are also trying to trace a small number of individuals considered at high risk of exposure. The WHO urged all involved countries to continue closely monitoring passengers and crew for the remainder of the quarantine period.
RIVM refuses to provide the infected patient's personal details. It added that the likelihood of further spread in the Netherlands is minimal because strict precautionary measures are in place.
