The Ministry of Health has reported that the first Spanish patient who tested positive for hantavirus has been discharged and is now at home, after being hospitalized at the Central Defense Hospital Gómez Ulla since May 10th.
According to Health, the 70-year-old affected individual has been able to return to his home and will not have to undergo quarantine after having overcome the infection. Following the established protocol, he has remained symptom-free for three days and has obtained two negative results in control tests.
Now, the passenger from the cruise ship "MV Hondius" will undergo clinical follow-up at the hospital service designated by the autonomous community of his residence for the next six months, including a monthly clinical review to rule out the appearance of possible sequelae. In case of presenting symptoms compatible with the disease at any time, an urgent evaluation will be carried out by the designated service.
At this time, another 13 Spaniards who were traveling on the cruise ship "MV Hondius" remain admitted to the Central Defense Hospital Gómez Ulla. Of these, only one has tested positive for hantavirus and has presented a slight fever in the last few hours.
The rest of the passengers remain in isolation and under medical observation. If they do not develop symptoms in the coming days, they could be discharged between Saturday and Sunday. In that case, they will have to complete a 42-day quarantine, which will conclude on June 21st.
If they remain asymptomatic throughout the home follow-up, a sample will be taken at the end of said period, which will be analyzed by the National Center for Microbiology. Only after obtaining a negative result will they be able to end the follow-up measures and fully resume their usual activities.