• Source:JND
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As the deadly Hantavirus outbreak sparks concerns, it has been found there were two Indians among the 149 people aboard a luxury expedition cruise ship  MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean. The virus, as of now, has killed three passengers and eight are infected or suspected to be infected, BBC reported.

Medical authorities are treating the affected people cautiously as passengers from several countries returned home to the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US, and Switzerland. A massive tracing operation is being conducted to identity the ones who have been infected.

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The ship sailed a month ago and had visited several wildlife areas before the outbreak started. As per the World Health Organisation, so far at least eight cases have been identified. Of them, three have been confirmed while five are suspected. Reports said four passengers were evacuated safely for treatment following the medical procedure.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhoben from the WHO explained that the virus should not be associated with Covid or influenza. "It spreads very, very differently," BBC quoted Van as saying. The medical professionals warn that the Andres strain of Hantavirus is one of the rarest and most lethal. Usually, hantavirus does not spread between people; however, there have been instances where human-to-human transmission has been recorded with the Andes strain.

How Hazardous Is the Virus?

Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried by rodents and found in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Humans are mostly affected in places where rodents and people coexist. Individuals are affected by inhaling air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, and saliva.

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The experts are still trying to find the exact cause of the outbreak. It is suspected that a passenger may have come in contact with the virus before boarding the ship or while visiting places during the cruise. During the media briefing, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, "Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, more cases may be reported. While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low."

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