The Franco-Argentine tourist who tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus in Galicia has been discharged after returning a negative PCR result and has begun his journey home, Spanish health authorities said.
His two close contacts also tested negative but must complete a 42-day isolation period running from 28 July, in line with Health Ministry protocol. Carmen Durán, Galicia's director-general of public health, urged calm, saying the virus "is not Covid".
French authorities have identified and contacted those exposed during the man's contagious period of 18–28 July, including family members, healthcare workers, and fellow train and airline passengers. The case has no link to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak declared over in July, after the man contracted the virus — which can cause severe pulmonary illness and prove fatal in 30 to 40 percent of cases — following a mild respiratory episode in France before travelling to Spain.