"Number of Sick Will Increase". World Health Organization Warns of New Hantavirus Cases
The WHO expects an increase in cases of the dangerous hantavirus.
Photo: Andres Gutierrez / Anadolu / Getty Images
"Given the long incubation period of the virus, it is entirely possible that the number of sick will increase in the coming weeks," stated WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Hantavirus was confirmed in 9 passengers of the cruise ship MV Hondius. According to him, there are currently no signs of a larger outbreak of the "Andes" hantavirus, but the virus remains contagious as passengers actively interacted with each other. The incubation period of the disease is six to eight weeks.
This refers to the rare "Andes" strain — a variant of hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission through close contact. The mortality rate of the infection can reach 40%.
Following the hantavirus outbreak on the ship, three people died — a couple from the Netherlands and a German citizen. Among those infected are citizens of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA, France, and Spain. In total, about 150 people from 23 countries were on board — tourists, crew members, and expedition staff. More than 100 people, including passengers, crew, and their contacts, were placed under quarantine.
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