Relief in Italy: the four suspected cases of hantavirus finally ruled out

Italian health authorities announced Wednesday that the four people quarantined due to suspected hantavirus infection had all tested negative. This announcement comes as several European countries are increasing their vigilance in response to the recent emergence of cases linked to the virus.

The Italian Ministry of Health indicated that tests conducted in hospitals in Rome and Milan had revealed no infections among those monitored. Authorities added that the risk posed by the virus remained "very low" in Europe, and therefore also in Italy.

Among those tested was an Argentinian tourist hospitalized in Sicily with pneumonia after traveling from Buenos Aires via Rome. Doctors had decided to conduct tests because of her recent travel to an area considered endemic for hantavirus.

A man from Calabria was also placed in voluntary isolation after briefly coming into contact, on a plane on April 25, with a Dutch national who later died from the virus. A British tourist and his partner were also taken into care after traveling on another flight with the same passenger.

The World Health Organization notes that hantavirus is primarily transmitted by rodents. In rare cases, however, human-to-human transmission can occur. Symptoms generally resemble those of the flu, including fever, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.

This series of negative tests brings some relief to Italian and European health authorities, who were already mobilized in response to concerns raised by the recent emergence of several cases in Europe. Health officials nevertheless continue to closely monitor the situation to prevent any further spread of the virus.