New hantavirus case on MV Hondius: One passenger brought to Madrid tests positive
One of the 14 Spanish passengers brought to Madrid under suspicion of hantavirus following an Antarctic expedition has tested positive via PCR. The passenger, who is reported to be asymptomatic, has been placed in a high-isolation unit.
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A positive result has been found in tests conducted among passengers evacuated from the MV Hondius, where hantavirus cases were reported, and brought to Spain.
According to news from the official Spanish news agency EFE, citing Ministry of Health sources, PCR tests were administered to 14 Spanish passengers transferred from Tenerife to the Gomez Ulla military hospital in Madrid. As a result of the tests, hantavirus was detected in one person, while the results for the other 13 passengers were negative.
Authorities stated that the person who tested positive is not showing any symptoms, is in good health, and that a second test will be conducted to confirm the initial result.
PLACED IN HIGH-ISOLATION UNIT
It was stated that the individual, who was separated from the other passengers in accordance with health protocols, was transferred to the hospital's High-Level Isolation and Treatment Unit (UATAN).
Speaking to Cadena Ser radio, Deputy Minister of Health Javier Padilla did not share details regarding the patient's identity, stating only that the patient is male.
Padilla stated that after the first sample was taken, medical teams informed the patient of the result, and he was then transferred to the isolation unit under strict security measures without physical contact.
TWO CASES HAD BEEN ENCOUNTERED PREVIOUSLY
Padilla noted that psychological support is also being provided to the passengers in isolation, saying, "We will take care of him and treat him in the best possible way."
After waiting for two days at the Port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife, the MV Hondius departed for the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands with the remaining 27 crew members on board, accompanied by a doctor and a nurse from the World Health Organization.
Among the passengers who were evacuated from the ship and sent to their home countries, hantavirus had previously been detected in one French and one American passenger.