Romania has confirmed a hantavirus infection in the western city of Arad, after a patient was diagnosed and hospitalized in the infectious diseases ward, authorities and Romanian public television reported.
The case was first identified after a 25-year-old man was transported by ambulance on May 8 from a psychiatric clinic in Ștei, Bihor County. He had been showing symptoms including cough, fever, and gastrointestinal problems.
The patient had shared a room with two other individuals, one of whom has already been discharged. Health authorities confirmed that the infected person had not recently traveled abroad, suggesting a locally acquired case.
Following the diagnosis in Arad, officials notified staff at the psychiatric facility in Ștei. All individuals who had contact with the patient were placed under isolation measures.
Authorities said that, so far, none of the contacts have developed symptoms, although access to the medical facility remains restricted as a precautionary step.
Romania has recorded several hantavirus cases in recent years. Health officials note that no mutations have been detected in strains capable of human-to-human transmission, according to public health reporting.
Romanian Public Television stated that while hantavirus infections remain rare, monitoring continues due to the potential severity of the disease and its transmission through contact with infected rodents.