Victim was removed from Flight KL592 in Johannesburg after crew spotted 'medical condition'
Dutch health officials confirm the passenger died from the lethal Hantavirus
Fears grow over 'Andes strain' which can be passed between humans
Health authorities tracing all passengers on the Amsterdam-bound flight
Panic has struck passengers on a KLM flight from South Africa to the Netherlands after it emerged a traveler who was briefly on board has died from the terrifying Hantavirus.
Dutch health authority RIVM issued an urgent alert yesterday evening, confirming that a Dutch national—who later passed away in Johannesburg—had been on board the aircraft just moments before it was due to depart for Amsterdam.
The drama unfolded on Flight KL592 (codeshare AF8282, DL9560, SK6855) on the night of April 25. Alert crew members reportedly spotted the passenger’s deteriorating medical condition and made the split-second decision to refuse them carriage, according to the airline.
While the flight eventually took off at 11:15 p.m. and landed safely in the Netherlands, the grim reality of the situation has only now come to light.
A LETHAL STRAIN
Most Hantaviruses are caught from contact with infected rodents, but officials have confirmed this victim was carrying the Andes strain—a Rare and aggressive variation that experts warn can be transmitted from human to human.
Health officials are now scrambling to contact every single passenger who was on the jet as a "precautionary measure."
"There are indications that the hantavirus in question can be transmitted from person to person," a spokesperson for the RIVM warned.
However, they were quick to downplay the risk of a mass outbreak, adding: "This appears to be very rare. Internationally, only a few such cases have been reported. Moreover, person-to-person transmission occurs only when people have very close contact."
KLM RESPONSE
KLM has expressed its "sincere condolences" to the family of the deceased and confirmed they are working hand-in-hand with the GGD Kennemerland health service to manage the fallout.
The airline stated: "Due to the passenger’s medical condition at the time, the crew decided not to allow the passenger to travel... After the passenger was removed from the aircraft, the flight departed for the Netherlands."
WHAT IS THE HANTAVIRUS?
The virus is known to cause severe respiratory issues and, in some cases, hemorrhagic fever. While common strains require contact with mice or rats, the Andes strain found in this case has haunted health experts due to its ability to jump between people in close proximity.
Symptoms often mirror the flu—including fever, muscle aches, and fatigue—but can rapidly escalate into life-threatening lung or kidney failure.
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