The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that a KLM flight attendant has tested negative for hantavirus. The Haarlem-based crew member had been under medical supervision after coming into close contact with a 69-year-old Dutch woman in Johannesburg who later died from the disease.
The situation originated on 25 April when the elderly passenger attempted to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam. Concerned by her poor physical state, the crew refused her entry. The flight attendant was subsequently identified as one of five people who had “intensive contact” with the woman and was admitted to Amsterdam UMC with mild symptoms shortly after.
An investigation is now underway regarding the flight’s 388 passengers. Health officials have divided those on board into three priority groups based on their level of exposure. The RIVM reported that, so far, three people from the flight displaying symptoms have been tested for the “Andean” variant of the virus.
During a press briefing on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that hantavirus has a long incubation period, with symptoms potentially taking up to six weeks to appear. This extended window means that authorities must continue to monitor those at risk for over a month.
Official bodies, including the GGD and Amsterdam UMC, have declined to share specific details regarding the flight attendant’s current health or whether she is still in hospital. KLM has also remained silent on the matter, citing a policy of protecting the privacy of individual employees.
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