A uncommon outbreak of hantavirus linked to a Dutch cruise ship has triggered international concern after the World Well being Group (WHO) confirmed that the infections contain the Andes strain — the solely identified hantavirus able to spreading from human to human. However ought to folks in India fear?
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To this point, well being specialists say the rapid risk to India stays very low, at the same time as nations throughout Europe, Africa and South America hint passengers and contacts linked to the outbreak.
What is going on globally?
The present outbreak is linked to the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, which sailed from Argentina in April. In accordance with WHO-linked updates and European well being businesses, the outbreak has resulted in at least eight confirmed or suspected circumstances and three deaths to this point.
WHO first raised a world alert after passengers onboard developed extreme respiratory sickness throughout the voyage. The primary demise on the ship was reported on April 11, whereas the outbreak formally got here to worldwide consideration in early Might after a number of evacuations and laboratory testing.
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As of Might 7, WHO-linked experiences point out:
- Three folks have died
- Eight confirmed or suspected infections have been recognized
- Instances have been linked to passengers from a number of nations
- The Andes strain of hantavirus has been detected in a number of sufferers
The suspected “index case” is believed to contain a Dutch couple who might have contracted the virus throughout birdwatching actions in Argentina earlier than boarding the ship.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of the Division of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention at WHO, mentioned, “This isn’t coronavirus, this can be a very completely different virus… This isn’t the begin of a COVID pandemic.”
Why is the Andes strain worrying?
Most hantaviruses unfold by means of contact with contaminated rodents, particularly publicity to rat or mouse urine, saliva or droppings. Human-to-human unfold is extraordinarily unusual.
Nonetheless, the Andes strain — first recognized in Argentina in 1995 — is completely different. It’s the solely hantavirus identified to sometimes unfold between people, normally by means of extended shut contact.
Well being officers stress that this doesn’t make it “one other Covid-like virus.” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has mentioned the outbreak doesn’t resemble the starting of the Covid-19 pandemic and that the international risk stays low.
Are you secure in India?
At current, there are not any reported hantavirus circumstances linked to this outbreak in India. Consultants say the possibilities of widespread transmission in India are low as a result of:
- Hantavirus outbreaks are normally remoted
- Human-to-human unfold is uncommon even with the Andes strain
- Transmission sometimes requires shut and extended publicity
- The present outbreak stays linked to a selected journey cluster
India has beforehand reported occasional hantavirus infections, however massive outbreaks haven’t been frequent.
Signs to look at for
Hantavirus signs can seem between two and eight weeks after publicity. Early indicators embody: Fever, muscle ache, fatigue, headache and chills. Extreme circumstances can quickly progress to respiration problem, pneumonia and lung failure.
Docs suggest customary precautions, particularly whereas travelling in rural or forested areas:
- Keep away from contact with rodents and their droppings
- Preserve meals sealed
- Use disinfectants as a substitute of dry sweeping rodent-infested areas
- Wash palms recurrently
- Search medical assist if flu-like signs develop after wildlife or out of doors publicity
- FAQs
Has India reported any circumstances from this outbreak?
No confirmed India-linked circumstances have been reported to this point.
Consultants and WHO say the risk is at the moment low as a result of hantavirus doesn’t unfold simply between people. Some strains, together with the Andes virus, may be extreme and have excessive fatality charges in critical circumstances.
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