"World Health Organization": 6 Confirmed Cases of "Hantavirus" So Far

SadaNews - The World Health Organization announced on Friday evening that six confirmed cases of the "Hantavirus" have been recorded so far, out of eight suspected cases, following the virus outbreak aboard a cruise ship.

The United Nations agency stated that "as of May 8, a total of eight cases have been reported, including three deaths (a mortality rate of 38%). Six cases have been laboratory confirmed as infections with the Hantavirus, all of which have been identified as belonging to the Andes virus (ANDV) strain."

The statement added that "the World Health Organization assesses the level of risk posed by this event to the global population as low, and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment." The organization clarified that "the level of risk to passengers and crew aboard the ship is considered moderate," as reported by the "French Press Agency."

The World Health Organization reassured that the risk of Hantavirus outbreak globally is "very limited." The organization's spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, told reporters in Geneva: "It is a dangerous virus, but only to the person infected with it. The risk to the general public remains very limited."

He explained that in some cases, the infection was not transmitted even to persons residing in the cabin next to an infected individual. He added that "it is nothing like measles, for example. If you are here in the press room and someone coughs at the front, the front rows will not be at risk. Close contact practically means that the two individuals are face to face (...) this is not a new Covid."

The ship "MV Hondius," which has become the center of international attention, departed the bay of Praia in Cape Verde on Wednesday, heading to Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands, where it is expected to arrive on Sunday.

Next week, the ship will disembark about 150 passengers and crew members who are still aboard.

A government official in the Canary Islands said that disembarking the passengers must take place between Sunday afternoon and Monday, which is the "only possible window" due to weather conditions.

The ship has been under an international health alert since the end of last week, after the World Health Organization was notified of the deaths of three passengers suspected to be caused by the "Hantavirus."

This virus is usually transmitted from infected rodents, often through urine, droppings, or saliva. However, experts confirmed that the "Andes" strain discovered aboard the ship is rare and can potentially be transmitted from person to person.