Medical surveillance established for passengers in Italy after woman dies of hantavirus

The Italian Ministry of Health has placed four flight passengers under medical surveillance who may have come into contact with a woman who died of hantavirus after traveling on the cruise ship MV Hondius.

According to Italian authorities, residents of the Calabria, Tuscany, Veneto, and Campania regions are under surveillance. All are considered contact persons, but no symptoms of the disease have been identified at this time.

Reportedly, the woman was on board the aircraft for only a few minutes before leaving the flight. Experts believe this significantly reduces the likelihood of virus transmission to other passengers.

The decision for medical surveillance was made purely for preventive purposes. Italian health authorities continue to monitor the situation and cooperate with international bodies as part of the investigation into cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Previously, the World Health Organization and national services of several countries had already begun international monitoring of the vessel's passengers and their contacts following the confirmation of several hantavirus infection cases.