The risk of Hanta virus to public health is still low, and 8 cases have been reported so far

Dr. Tedros explained in a press conference held today, Thursday, that three deaths have occurred so far, and that three people are suspected of being infected with the virus.

The UN official said: “Although this incident is considered a serious matter, the World Health Organization assesses the public health risks resulting from it as low.”.

What is Hanta virus?

Hanta viruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe diseases in humans. People usually become infected by touching infected rodents, or touching their urine, droppings, or saliva.

Dr. Tedros said: “The strain of Hantavirus in question in this case is the Andes virus, a virus that circulates in Latin America and is known to be the only strain capable of limited transmission between humans. In previous outbreaks of the Andes virus, transmission between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact.”.

First case

The Director-General of the World Health Organization reported that the first case was recorded in a man who developed symptoms on April 6, and died on board the ship on April 11.

He added: “No samples were taken from him. Due to the similarity of his symptoms to those of other respiratory diseases, he was not suspected of being infected with the Hanta virus.”.

He said that later, the man’s wife came ashore when the ship docked on St. Helena Island, and she was also suffering from symptoms. Her health condition deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg on April 25, and she died the next day.

As for the third death, it was a woman who was on board the ship. She developed symptoms on April 28 and died on May 2.

Dr. Tedros said that another passenger is still in intensive care in South Africa, while three additional passengers showing symptoms have been evacuated to the Netherlands to receive treatment, as well as a passenger who disembarked in St. Helena who later tested positive in Zurich, Switzerland.

He explained that the first two infected people had traveled through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay on a bird-watching trip, which included visits to sites where there is a type of rat known to carry the “Andean” virus, adding: “WHO is working with health authorities in Argentina to understand the couple’s movements.”.

No other casualties on the ship

Dr. Tedros confirmed that none of the remaining passengers or crew members of the ship are currently showing any symptoms, indicating that “WHO is aware of reports of other people showing symptoms who may have been in contact with a passenger.”.

He warned that due to the incubation period of the Andean virus, which may reach six weeks, it is possible that more cases will be reported.

He explained that the ship is now sailing towards the Canary Islands, expressing his confidence in Spain’s ability to manage the risks related to this matter.

He stressed that the priority now is to ensure that infected patients receive the necessary care, ensure the safety of the remaining passengers on board the ship and treat them with dignity, as well as prevent any further spread of the virus.

And he said: “All passengers have been asked to remain inside their cabins. These cabins are currently being sterilized, and anyone showing symptoms of the disease will be isolated immediately.”.

He stated that the organization had notified 12 countries whose nationals had disembarked from the ship on St. Helena Island, namely Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Dr. Tedros said that he is in regular contact with the ship’s captain, who told him that morale has improved significantly since the ship resumed its movement, thanking the ship’s crew and passengers who are going through a difficult and frightening situation.

He also thanked the Governments of Cape Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom for their close partnership and support.