Hantavirus case confirmed in Romania

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Romania's National Institute of Public Health (INSP) confirmed a case of hantavirus infection on Monday.

The INSP clarified that the infection involves a strain specific to Romania and Europe, and is unrelated to the recent outbreak of the Andes virus, the hantavirus strain identified aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius.

The Arad County Public Health Directorate reported that serological tests indicate that this is a chronic infection, likely contracted during the patient's previous hospitalization at a psychiatric facility.

The patient is in stable condition and remains hospitalized under continuous medical supervision, it said, adding that the best protection against infection is the use of masks and gloves when cleaning enclosed spaces that have been unused for long periods and may be inhabited by rodents.

Previously, a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship killed three people, raising fears of a new pandemic. However, the World Health Organization has said that the overall risk to the public remains low.