A woman in Barcelona who had contact with a passenger infected with hantavirus on a flight will complete her quarantine at home, after testing negative for the virus for a third time.
Catalonia's Department of Health said the latest PCR test again ruled out infection. The woman had been admitted to Hospital Clínic, but she will now continue isolation at home for another 14 days.
The health authorities said she remains asymptomatic and in good health. The home isolation will complete her full 42-day quarantine period, in line with epidemiological surveillance protocols.
Hantavirus infections are rare in Europe and are usually linked to contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon, but close contacts are monitored as a precaution.
The exposure happened on an aeroplane, which is why health officials took precautionary measures. Authorities will continue to monitor the woman's health during the rest of the quarantine period.
