Passenger death triggers Hantavirus scare involving KLM crew member

A flight attendant from the Dutch airline KLM has been hospitalised with suspected Hantavirus infection after coming into contact with a passenger who later died, according to Dutch media reports.

The crew member, who is from Haarlem, was admitted to Amsterdam UMC and placed under medical observation following exposure to a 69-year-old Dutch woman.

The woman had attempted to depart from Johannesburg on April 25 but was denied boarding due to her deteriorating health condition. She was subsequently transported to a hospital, where she died the following day.

After the incident, the flight attendant who had contact with the passenger was also placed under medical supervision. Reports indicate that the crew member is currently experiencing mild symptoms, while testing for hantavirus infection is ongoing under isolation conditions.

Authorities further stated that the deceased woman had been part of the same tourist group as her spouse and a German national who had earlier died aboard the expedition vessel MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak had previously been recorded.

Hantaviruses belong to a family of pathogens capable of causing viral hemorrhagic fevers, which are characterised by damage to blood vessels, severe systemic toxicity, and a risk of bleeding. Hantaviruses cause severe illness, most commonly affecting the lungs or kidneys. The disease progresses rapidly.

“Hantavirus infection usually occurs through contact with the environment (urine or faeces of infected rodents). Hantavirus is rarely transmitted from person to person, but it can lead to acute respiratory syndrome,” the WHO warned.

By Tamilla Hasanova