WHO leads response to hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated evacuations and risk assessments following the deaths of three people and multiple suspected infections. One patient remains in intensive care in South Africa.

To date, one case has been confirmed after verification in the laboratory, but there are five additional cases that are suspected to have occurred among the passengers on the plane.

“This is a serious but manageable event and there is no need for panic or travel restrictions at this stage.” said Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Focus on saving lives

“Our focus is clear: to save lives, contain risks, and ensure that countries have the full support of science-based action,he added.

said Bhanu Bhatnagar of the agency UN News that this viral infection is rare and is usually associated with infected rodents.

“In some cases, this disease can be severe and is not easily transmitted between humans.The risk to the wider community remains low at this time, and there is no reason for worry or travel restrictions.”

Worldwide, at least 10,000 and perhaps more than 100,000 infections occur each year; most of them are in Asia and Europe.

In humans, symptoms usually begin between one and six weeks after exposure to a carrier and usually include fever, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

International cooperation

The UN health agency is working with the countries involved and the ship operators to support medical care, coordinate evacuations and conduct thorough health risk assessments.

Two passengers who have symptoms are being medically evacuated, while the passengers and crew are receiving monitoring and support.

Investigations into the outbreak are ongoing, including laboratory testing, epidemiological tracing and genetic sequencing of the virus.

WHO has also notified national authorities under the International Health Regulations and is preparing news updates on disease outbreaks in the community.