The first case of hantavirus was diagnosed in Israel, the patient was probably infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago and sought medical attention after developing symptoms associated with the disease, the newspaper reported this Thursday. Jerusalem Post.

At this stage, details about the patient, their place of residence or the medical center where they were diagnosed cannot be published. According to information obtained by Maariv, the patient underwent an antibody test after the onset of symptoms, which revealed exposure to hantavirus.

Subsequently, a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was performed to detect the genetic material of the virus, thus confirming the infection. At the moment, the patient’s condition is stable; He has not required intensive care or strict isolation, but is under medical observation.

The case has been notified to the Ministry of Health. This is not the first time Israelis have been diagnosed with hantavirus; about a decade ago, several Israelis were suspected of being infected with the virus during a trip to South America.

However, unlike the outbreak of the South American Andean strain that is currently gaining international attention aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, the Israeli was infected with a European strain of the virus.