WHO warns of a rise in hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship

The number of people infected with the dangerous hantavirus may rise in the coming weeks due to the infection’s long incubation period. So far, the disease has been confirmed in nine passengers on the Hondius cruise ship, three of whom have already died. 

This was reported by the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The rare Andes strain of the virus can be transmitted from person to person through close contact, and its fatality rate reaches 40%. Among those infected are citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries; there were a total of 150 people on board. Currently, more than 100 people are in quarantine to prevent the further spread of the outbreak.

The WHO Director-General noted that there are no signs of a large-scale epidemic yet, but the virus remains a threat due to the close contact among passengers during the trip. The incubation period for the disease is six to eight weeks, so medical professionals are continuing to monitor the situation closely. A couple from the Netherlands and a German citizen have already died from the infection.

Earlier, the WHO chief noted that hantavirus is not the new COVID

Hantavirus outbreak: experts assess the risks of a global pandemic.

We also reported: Among the crew members of the MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak was recorded, are five Ukrainian citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that no signs of a deterioration in their health have been detected so far.