The Ministry of Health has updated the monitoring protocol for the hantavirus outbreak in order to adapt control measures to the epidemiological situation and strengthen the safe monitoring of individuals considered close contacts. The revised protocol introduces the possibility of completing part of the quarantine period at home under health supervision, provided that all public health requirements are met.
Under the updated measures, individuals who remain symptom-free and obtain negative PCR test results during the first 28 days of hospital quarantine may continue their monitoring period at home until the maximum incubation period of 42 days has been completed.
The home quarantine system may only be applied in residences that guarantee appropriate isolation and health safety conditions. Requirements include access to a well-ventilated individual room, preferably with a private bathroom, as well as permanent communication with health authorities through telephone or internet access.
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Health Ministry updates hantavirus outbreak protocol and introduces supervised home quarantine
In situations where the home environment or family circumstances do not allow these measures to be properly maintained, regional public health authorities will be required to provide alternative accommodation or resources to ensure a safe quarantine process.
The revised protocol also introduces specific conditions for transfers from hospitals to homes. These journeys must be carried out using conventional medical transport and public transport must be avoided at all times. During transportation, both the monitored individual and the driver must wear FFP2 face masks and follow hand hygiene procedures before and after the journey.
Public health authorities in each autonomous community will be responsible for conducting daily monitoring of individuals continuing quarantine at home. During this period, two daily temperature checks will be required and any symptoms compatible with the disease — including fever, cough, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or lower back pain — must be reported immediately.
The updated protocol also includes prevention and hygiene measures for both monitored individuals and household members, such as the use of FFP2 masks in shared spaces, restrictions on visits and specific cleaning and waste management guidelines. As long as no symptoms appear during home monitoring, additional PCR tests will not be required.
The Ministry of Health will continue to review and update the protocol according to the epidemiological evolution of the outbreak and the scientific evidence available at any given time.