What is the hantavirus that has been confirmed on an Atlantic cruise ship?
Summary
Three people have died and one case of hantavirus has been confirmed on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, with five more suspected cases under investigation. Hantavirus is a virus spread mainly by rodents and can cause serious lung or kidney illness in humans.Key Facts
- The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
- Hantavirus spreads through breathing in dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
- The virus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), both serious illnesses.
- HPS has a mortality rate of about 38% when respiratory symptoms develop.
- About 150,000 cases of HFRS happen worldwide each year, mainly in Europe and Asia.
- The US has reported 890 cases since 1993, with the Seoul virus strain found worldwide.
- There is no specific cure; treatment focuses on supporting breathing and kidney function.
- Preventing hantavirus involves avoiding contact with rodents and cleaning rodent droppings carefully.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.