First case of hantavirus diagnosed in Israel

The first case of hantavirus has been diagnosed in Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday, citing Maariv.

The patient is believed to have been infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago and sought medical attention after developing symptoms associated with the disease.

Details about the patient, his or her place of residence, and the medical center where the diagnoses was made could not yet be published.

The patient underwent an antibody test after the symptoms appeared, which showed exposure to hantavirus, Maariv reported. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was then conducted to detect the virus’s genetic material, confirming the infection, the report said.

The patient was said to be in stable condition, not in need of intensive care or strict isolation, and was being kept under medical observation. The case was reported to the Health Ministry.

While unusual in Israel, this is not the first time Israelis have been diagnosed with hantavirus. About a decade ago, several Israelis were suspected of having been infected with the virus while traveling in South America.

Unlike the outbreak of the South American Andes strain currently drawing international attention aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, however, the Israeli patient was infected with a European strain of the virus.

The distinction is significant. There have only been a few documented cases of person-to-person transmission of the more dangerous and well-known Andes strain. Most of the other hantavirus strains worldwide are transmitted primarily from rodents to humans.