LIVE: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control speaks on hantavirus

11 confirmed and probable cases identified

The outbreak includes 8 confirmed, 2 probable, and 1 verified case among passengers, resulting in 3 deaths and 3 patients remaining in intensive care.

Complex multi-national outbreak with long incubation

First reported May 2nd by the Netherlands, the situation involves 23 nationalities and features a hantavirus incubation period of up to six weeks, requiring extended monitoring.

All passengers repatriated via special flights

Following a 'no regrets' precautionary approach, ECDC recommended special repatriation flights with strict infection protocols rather than commercial travel to prevent further spread.

Mandatory six-week quarantine recommended

All asymptomatic passengers must quarantine strictly until June 21-22 to account for the virus's incubation period and recent positive tests among returnees.

Risk to general public assessed as very low

With quarantine measures in place and early isolation protocols activated, the risk of onward transmission to the general European public is currently assessed as very low.

Genomic analysis suggests single transmission event

Preliminary whole genome sequencing shows virtually identical viral sequences across cases, suggesting a single animal-to-human transmission event with no unusual viral behavior detected.

Investigation focuses on transmission patterns

Investigators are analyzing ship data to identify infection sources and high-risk exposures while conducting genomic studies to determine viral transmissibility and severity.

Asymptomatic transmission risk remains uncertain

While peak infectiousness occurs on the first day of symptoms, ECDC recommends contact tracing for two days prior as a precaution despite no confirmed evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission.