Xolile Mtembu|Published
Health officials in Switzerland have issued a serious warning after a man came back from a cruise in South America infected with a rare and potentially deadly hantavirus.
The unnamed patient is now fighting the infection the Andes strain, a variant known for rare human-to-human transmission.
Health officials from Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) confirmed development.
“One person with a hantavirus infection is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).”
The man had been travelling with his wife on the MV Hondius and returned to Switzerland at the end of April.
Three people have died from the virus, with one in critical condition in a Sandton hospital.
After noticing symptoms, he contacted his doctor before being rushed for further checks, where he was immediately isolated.
Tests conducted at Geneva University Hospitals confirmed a positive result for the Andes virus.
Authorities are urging calm. The FOPH stressed: “There is currently no risk to the Swiss public.”
The patient’s wife, who travelled with him, has not shown symptoms but is self-isolating as a precaution while officials trace any possible contacts during the infectious period.
Health teams are now working around the clock, coordinating with local authorities, hospitals and the World Health Organization (WHO) to contain any potential spread.
“The risk to the public in Switzerland is low.”
Meanwhile, strict safety protocols remain in place at the Zurich hospital, which is specially equipped to handle such high-risk infectious diseases.
IOL News
Sharie Pepper
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