Madrid, 26 May (H.S.): Spanish health authorities have confirmed a new case of hantavirus infection involving a passenger who had been quarantined after travelling aboard a cruise ship linked to a recent outbreak of the disease.
According to Spain’s Ministry of Health, the patient has been transferred to a specialised high-isolation unit at Madrid’s Gomez Ulla Hospital, where he remains under medical supervision. Officials stated that the latest case does not increase the overall public health risk and that existing precautionary measures remain unchanged.
The infected passenger was among travellers aboard the Dutch-flagged expedition cruise vessel *MV Hondius*, which departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1. The voyage included stops at several remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean before continuing towards Cape Verde and eventually Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. Remaining passengers were evacuated after concerns emerged over a hantavirus outbreak on board.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported at least 12 suspected and confirmed cases connected to the outbreak, including three deaths. Health officials noted that no additional fatalities have been recorded since May 2.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious viral disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. In some cases, the virus can cause severe respiratory complications known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which may become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Medical experts explain that symptoms often begin with fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and dizziness before progressing to breathing difficulties in severe cases. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or approved vaccine for hantavirus, making early detection and supportive medical care crucial.
Public health agencies continue to monitor passengers and crew members linked to the cruise. Authorities have also urged travellers to follow hygiene precautions and avoid exposure to rodent-infested environments, particularly in remote or rural regions where hantavirus infections are more commonly reported.
Spanish officials emphasised that the situation remains under control and that there is no evidence of widespread community transmission at this stage.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
