HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK: WHO ALERTS ABOUT ANDES STRAIN WITH 'NO CURE AND HIGH DEATH RATE'; WHAT MAKES IT DEADLY FOR HUMANS?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a serious hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship MV Hondius near Cape Verde. The ship was carrying 147 passengers and crew members. As of early May, eight confirmed or suspected cases have been identified. Three people have died, two are seriously ill, and others are showing mild symptoms. Several patients have been evacuated from the ship for emergency medical treatment, and it is now heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.

Andes Strain Found On Cruise Ship

According to WHO, the virus involved is likely the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is mainly found in South America. This strain is rare because, unlike most hantaviruses, it can sometimes spread from one person to another through close contact. Hantaviruses are viruses carried mainly by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans become infected only after coming into contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or breathing contaminated dust particles.

What Makes Andes Strain So Deadly?

In most cases, hantaviruses do not spread easily between humans, but the Andes strain is one of the few known types where limited human-to-human transmission has been reported. Health authorities are currently monitoring passengers and crew members who may have been exposed during the journey. What makes the situation concerning is that there is currently no specific medicine or cure for hantavirus infection.

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Moreover, the virus can cause a severe disease called Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS), which affects the lungs and heart. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. According to WHO, in serious cases, the illness quickly progresses to pneumonia, low blood pressure, and shock.

Survivor's Account

A hantavirus survivor shared with CNN how her illness started with mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, body pain, and tiredness, but within just a few days her condition became critical. She had to be placed in a medically induced coma while doctors treated her.

WHO Advises Caution

Hantavirus infection can be very deadly for humans. According to WHO, the death rate in severe cases can be as high as 50 percent. As there is currently no specific cure or vaccine for the disease, early diagnosis can improve survival chances. The WHO has advised people to avoid contact with rodents and to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation, while officials are investigating to identify how the outbreak started.

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