Hantavirus Scare: Samples from Italian Passenger on KLM Flight Arrive at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome
Rome, May 12 – Biological samples from a 25-year-old Italian passenger, Federico Amaretti, who was aboard the same KLM flight from Johannesburg as a woman who later died from Hantavirus, have arrived at Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital for testing. Amaretti, a seafarer from Calabria, is currently in isolation in his home region.
Precautionary Measures at Spallanzani
The samples from Amaretti, who was already in quarantine, will be analyzed at the Spallanzani Hospital, a leading center for infectious diseases in Rome, known for its expertise during the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially, there was consideration of transferring Amaretti to Rome, but a precautionary decision was made to maintain his isolation in Calabria and analyze the samples remotely.
According to the Mayor of Villa San Giovanni, Giusy Caminiti, Amaretti is doing well and has not exhibited any symptoms related to Hantavirus. “We deny any contrary news,” Caminiti stated, “after discussions with him and the ASP of Reggio Calabria: Federico has never had symptoms attributable to Hantavirus; tomorrow he will undergo tests, like the other Italians on that flight, ordered as a precautionary measure by the Ministry of Health, and the samples taken will be transferred to Spallanzani. We want to reassure our fellow citizens regarding the alarmism that has been created. Our fellow citizen will continue his quarantine as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.”
Amaretti’s Account of the Flight
A few days ago, Amaretti recounted his experience: “I’m fine, I have no symptoms, since this morning I’ve been in quarantine at my parents’ house. I have to avoid all contact, the ASL told me. I returned to Italy for a holiday period, I work as a seafarer. From Amsterdam, I took another flight to Fiumicino where I arrived on April 26.” He was one of four Italian passengers on the flight from South Africa to the Netherlands.
“I remember the plane was supposed to leave at 11:30 PM, after about 20 minutes we heard the captain say ‘We had a delay because a woman felt ill and was disembarked,'” Amaretti told Tg1. “I was in the back seats. I didn’t see the lady. Last night I was contacted by the Ministry of Health and this morning by the ASL of the Calabria Region: they told me to stay in isolation and to take my temperature morning and evening. Should I have any symptoms, to contact them. I’m not worried, I have a low risk of contagion and in any case, I have no symptoms, I’m fine,” Amaretti concluded.
Global Hantavirus Situation
Globally, the Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported in a press conference that “to date, eleven cases have been reported, including three deaths.” He added that “nine of the eleven cases have been confirmed as Andean influenza, while the other two are probable.”
This event highlights the ongoing vigilance required for emerging infectious diseases and the importance of rapid response and testing protocols to ensure public health and safety.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_maggio_12/hantavirus-sintomatico-in-arrivo-allo-spallanzani-di-roma-e-federico-amaretti-il-marittimo-calabrese-sulla-ave-da-crociera-mv-fe7632d6-6b31-4f35-9d1f-4c02ebec7xlk.shtml
