"It's not Covid" - WHO provides latest updates and assesses epidemic threat following hantavirus outbreak
Kyiv • UNN
Three people have died due to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. The WHO has confirmed five cases of infection but does not expect a large-scale epidemic.
The World Health Organization stated that the risk to public health currently remains low, although new cases of Andes hantavirus infection may appear due to the long incubation period. This was reported by The Guardian, according to UNN.
What is known about the confirmed cases
According to WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the first case was recorded in a man who developed symptoms on April 6. He died on April 11. At that time, tests for hantavirus were not conducted because there was no suspicion of the disease.
His wife disembarked from the ship on Saint Helena already showing symptoms. During the flight to Johannesburg, her condition worsened, and the woman also died on April 26.
The third victim was a woman from the cruise ship who developed symptoms on April 28. She died on May 2.
According to Sky News, the WHO has currently confirmed five cases of Andes hantavirus infection during the outbreak. In addition, three more cases are considered suspected.
There are two patients in a hospital in the Netherlands, and there is a patient in an intensive care unit in South Africa – and I am very pleased to report that the patient in South Africa is feeling better
Should a Hantavirus epidemic be expected?
The World Health Organization emphasized that the Andes hantavirus spreads differently than Covid-19 or the flu.
So, it's not Covid, it's not the flu. It spreads very differently. Therefore, people are taking different precautions
According to her, there are currently no more people with symptoms on board the cruise ship. Regular disinfection is being carried out on the ship, passengers are staying in their cabins, and those who go out are recommended to wear medical masks.
The WHO also reminded that the incubation period for the Andes hantavirus can last up to six weeks, so they do not rule out the appearance of new cases.
At the same time, according to the publication, when asked whether this should be classified as an epidemic or a pandemic, the organization's representative Abdirahman Sheikh Mahamud stated that currently, it is only a "cluster in a confined space with close contact."
Given the experience our member states have and the measures they have taken, we do not expect a major epidemic. We believe that this will not lead to a further chain of transmission
At the same time, according to the publication, the head of the WHO reported that the morale of the people on the ship has improved since the vessel set sail again. In addition, the official maintains regular contact with the ship's captain, including this morning.
He told me that morale has significantly improved since the ship started moving again. I thank him for everything he has done to protect those he is responsible for
Recall
Hantavirus infection is a disease little known to most Ukrainians, which at the same time poses a real threat. It is transmitted from rodents, particularly mice, and can range from a mild course to severe complications.