° Contacts who have not presented symptoms and maintain negative results in the PCR tests performed during the first 28 days of hospital quarantine may continue monitoring at their homes until completing the established 42 days.
° The protocol incorporates specific measures for transfers from the hospital to the home and regulates the conditions of isolation, health monitoring and prevention that must be maintained during home quarantine.
° People under home monitoring must take their temperature daily and report any symptoms. As long as they remain asymptomatic, no further follow-up PCR tests will be performed.
Madrid, May 22, 2026. - The Technical Committee of the Early Warning and Rapid Response System (SIAPR) has updated the hantavirus outbreak monitoring protocol to allow asymptomatic contacts to complete their quarantine at home after an initial period of hospital monitoring. The revision has been approved by the Public Health Commission.
The update states that people under monitoring who have remained asymptomatic and with negative results in PCR tests performed during the first 28 days of hospital quarantine may continue monitoring at home until completing the maximum incubation period set at 42 days.
The protocol states that this arrangement can only be implemented when the dwelling meets the necessary conditions to guarantee isolation and health safety. Among the established requirements are having a well-ventilated single room and, preferably, a private bathroom, as well as ensuring constant communication with health authorities via telephone or internet.
In cases where the conditions of the home or family environment do not allow these measures to be ensured, the Public Health authorities of the autonomous communities must enable alternative resources to guarantee a safe quarantine.
The review also incorporates specific conditions for transfers from the hospital to the patient's home. The protocol stipulates that these transfers must be carried out using conventional ambulance transport, avoiding the use of public transport at all times. During the journey, both the patient and the driver must wear an FFP2 mask and perform hand hygiene before and after the transfer. Furthermore, the driver must remain physically separated from the patient, and unnecessary stops along the way must be avoided.
The public health authorities of each autonomous community will be responsible for the daily monitoring of individuals who continue their home quarantine. During this period, two daily temperature checks must be carried out, and any symptoms consistent with the illness, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or lower back pain, must be reported immediately.
The protocol also establishes prevention and hygiene measures for both those being monitored and their household members, including the use of FFP2 masks in shared spaces, limiting visits, maintaining interpersonal distance, and specific cleaning and waste management guidelines. As long as individuals remain asymptomatic during home monitoring, additional follow-up PCR tests will not be necessary.
The protocol will continue to be subject to review and ongoing updates based on the epidemiological evolution of the outbreak and the available scientific evidence.
Source:
Link: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=6916
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