The first person to be diagnosed with hantavirus in Ireland was a German tourist back in 2012, it can be revealed.
The man, who was 30 years old at the time, presented to Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.
Medics quickly discovered he was in renal failure and was displaying respiratory symptoms.
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The man was eventually discharged from the hospital after he made a full recovery. He then flew back to Germany, where he underwent extensive tests.
These eventually returned a diagnosis of hantavirus in June, 2012. This is the first recorded case of hantavirus in a human in Ireland.
At the time, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, which monitors outbreaks and diseases in Ireland, said there was an “exceptional” number of hantavirus cases in Germany between late 2011 and early 2012.
Back in 2012, they also said it was surprising that hantavirus was so rare in Ireland when it was so prevalent in other European countries.
It comes as Interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan said two Irish passengers who were on the hantavirus-hit cruise ship are currently isolating at a HSE-run facility.
She said both women will be in quarantine for a total of 42 days, with their exclusion period starting on May 6, while they were still on board the virus-infected vessel.
Ireland’s top medic confirmed neither woman is experiencing symptoms and both are in “good spirits” but said they will be offered “psychological ” support for having to isolate for so long.
One of the women is Ann Lane, who worked as a personal assistant to former president Mary Robinson and Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.
During an interview on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Ms Horgan was asked if the HSE are prepared for all eventualities while caring for the two women.
She explained: “Absolutely, the Mater Hospital has the national isolation unit. It has a team of experts in infectious diseases, intensive care, nurses who are all trained up to deal with any potential issues that the two passengers may have.”
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