The first Spanish citizen diagnosed with hantavirus after the outbreak detected on the cruise ship MV Hondius has been discharged from hospital this Thursday after several negative PCR tests and several days without symptoms.
The patient, who tested positive on the same day of his evacuation from the ship at the port of Granadilla (Tenerife), has overcome the clinical phase of the disease and will no longer have to comply with quarantine, in accordance with the protocol updated by the Public Health Commission.
Medical discharge after two negative PCRs
The patient's recovery has been confirmed after completing two negative PCR tests on urine and oropharyngeal swab and at least three days without symptoms compatible with the virus.
After his discharge, the affected person has been able to return to his home without the need for isolation, as it is considered that there is no longer a risk of transmission according to current health criteria.
A second patient remains hospitalized
In parallel, another of the positive cases detected in the outbreak remains hospitalized in Madrid as he still presents mild symptoms, such as a slight fever, which prevents his medical discharge.
According to the protocol, patients must remain under observation until they achieve complete clinical recovery and obtain negative results in diagnostic tests.
In addition to the confirmed cases, 12 Spanish citizens considered close contacts of the outbreak remain under health surveillance after having traveled on the same cruise ship.
All of them have tested negative in the tests carried out so far, although they will have to continue to be monitored until next June 21, when the 42 days of control established by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be completed.
If they do not develop symptoms and maintain negative results, they will be able to end the quarantine period in their homes and close the epidemiological surveillance process.
Follow-up protocol
The Ministry of Health also contemplates clinical follow-up for up to six months for patients who have tested positive, even if they have already been discharged, due to the possible persistence of the virus's genetic material in the blood.
According to the protocol, this situation does not imply a risk of transmission, but it does require periodic medical check-ups to monitor the evolution and possible sequelae.