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What is the hantavirus which killed three passengers on a cruise ship?

In an outbreak of the hantavirus on a luxury ship, three people died. Five other confirmed or suspected cases were also reported.

What is the exact definition of a hantavirus and what are its?implications for public health?

What is it?

Hantaviruses can cause disease in humans and are transmitted by rodents. World Health Organization estimates that there are between 10,000 and 100,000 cases of human infection worldwide each year. The severity can vary by strain.

How is the virus spread?

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents. It infects people through contact with their urine, droppings or saliva, and often becomes airborne during cleaning. It is spread less commonly through contaminated surfaces.

The Andes strain, which is primarily found in Argentina and Chile, is the only variant known to spread via close, prolonged contact between humans. The WHO confirmed Wednesday that the outbreak on the cruise ship was the Andes Hantavirus.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Hantaviruses are found in many parts of the globe and cause different symptoms. Some cause no symptoms at all.

According to the WHO, symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks following exposure. They may include fever, muscle pains and gastrointestinal problems.

Hantaviruses are known to cause haemorrhagic syndrome with renal syndrome in Europe and Asia. This condition primarily affects blood vessels and kidneys.

In America, hantavirus can cause cardiopulmonary syndrome. This condition progresses rapidly and causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, along with other heart problems.

WHO reports that the death rate from hantavirus is up to 50%. This compares to the 1-15% of infections?commonly found in Asia and Europe.

Can HANTAVIRUS infection be treated?

As there is no specific treatment, the current approach focuses on supportive measures, such as rest and fluids. Patients may need breathing assistance, such as a ventilator.

The prevention of rodents is based on measures such as keeping surfaces and areas clean.

Contact tracing during outbreaks can improve outcomes by allowing others who may have been exposed to the virus to receive hospital treatment earlier.

What are the risks to the general public?

WHO states that the outbreak on cruise ships is unusual, and experts from several countries are investigating it. However, the risk for the public is low.

WHO's Americas branch warned in December that hantavirus infection was on the rise in the region. This is especially true in Bolivia and Paraguay. Brazil and Argentina, which have the most cases, are also seeing an increase in lethality.

Argentina reported 21 deaths in the last year. This is a 32% mortality rate among 66 people who contracted hantavirus respiratory syndrome. The average death rate over the previous four years was 15%.

(source: Reuters)