Swedish traveller exposed to hantavirus after flight from Johannesburg

A Swedish traveller has been isolated after potential exposure to hantavirus on a flight from Johannesburg, public health authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Sweden’s Public Health Agency, the individual was seated close enough to an infected passenger to warrant isolation as part of contact tracing efforts. The agency received notification from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the case, SVT Nyheter reports.

Erik Sturegård, acting state epidemiologist, told Morgonstudion that local infection control units had taken necessary measures in coordination with the exposed person. “The isolation is being carried out exactly as recommended,” he said.

While the risk of wider transmission in Sweden is considered low, Sturegård emphasised the seriousness of the infection. “The reason we take this so seriously is that it is a severe disease, but there is no risk of large-scale spread,” he added.

The exposed individual is reported to have been seated within two rows of the infected passenger during the flight.