Health authorities are monitoring around 60 people for potential exposure to the Andes virus (a variant of the hantavirus) after a Dutch woman who died of the disease was briefly aboard a KLM flight to Amsterdam.
The 69-year-old woman was removed from KLM flight KL592, en route to Amsterdam from Johannesburg, on April 25 after the crew determined she was too ill to fly. Sadly, she died in a Johannesburg hospital the following day.
Now, a contact tracing investigation is being led by the GGD Kennemerland, the regional public health service covering the area around Schiphol.
Who is being monitored (and how)?
GGD Kennemerland has divided passengers into three groups based on proximity to the woman.
The five people who had direct, intensive contact with her (including the flight attendant who assisted her) are being actively monitored by the GGD with daily calls. Their condition will be monitored until June 1.
READ MORE | Hantavirus in the Netherlands: what is it, who’s at risk, and how to stay safe
Group two consists of about 50 passengers who were seated in the same row as the woman or in the two rows directly in front of or behind her. They have been asked to watch for symptoms until June 1 and to contact their local GGD if any develop.
Everyone else on the plane is not considered to be at risk. Passengers on connecting flights are being informed separately by the RIVM (Dutch Health Institute).
If you were in one of the monitored groups and are feeling unwell, please contact your huisarts (GP) or local GGD.
Cases under investigation
Three patients who were on board the plane and developed symptoms were tested for hantavirus in Dutch hospitals: the LUMC in Leiden, the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, and the Amsterdam AMC.
According to the RIVM, two results have come back negative, while the third is still being analysed. All three continue to be monitored by the GGD.
Meanwhile, the WHO has now confirmed five cases linked to the outbreak on board the cruise ship MV Hondius, three of whom have died — including two Dutch nationals.
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