According to Pelgrim, it is still too early to say how the Eurest employee became infected with the virus. “Eurest has closed these canteens as a precautionary measure and is playing it safe. They want to exclude any possibility of risk.”

About the hantavirus the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reports ‘that the virus enters the environment through rodents. In dried-out urine, droppings and saliva the virus can live on for another two weeks or so. People become infected by inhaling contaminated dust particles that are swirling in the air (aerosol), for example when sweeping out a shed. A person may also become infected if they are bitten by a contaminated rodent and by eating food that has been contaminated by rodents.’ And: ‘The chance of being infected with the hantavirus is very small.’

The RIVM's website also reveals that the hantaviruses that occur in Europe cause flu-like systems and kidney or liver symptoms. The severity of these symptoms varies. In the Netherlands most infections among people are caused by the Puumala variety. This infection is usually mild. If the disease is accompanied by any symptoms at all, these tend to be flu-like symptoms: headache, stomach ache, nausea, fever and muscle ache’. 

How long the canteens will remain closed is something Pelgrim cannot yet say. “We are waiting on advice from the GGD.” The GGD is the municipal and regional health service.