Hantavirus, a rare but severe infectious disease, has once again captured global attention after a recent outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean that left multiple passengers dead and several others critically ill.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least three deaths have been confirmed or suspected, including a69-year-old British nationalwho tested positive for hantavirus. The WHO says it is now conducting a full public health risk assessment with national authorities and the ship's operators.
While hantavirus infections are rare, the situation has renewed urgent questions worldwide: How dangerous is hantavirus, and should the public be concerned?
Hantavirus is not a new virus, but it is one of the most feared rare infections because of what happens after infection begins.
The virus is carried primarily by rodents such as mice and rats. Humans typically become infected by inhaling microscopic particles contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or droppings, according to theCentres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Unlike many respiratory viruses, hantavirus is not usually spread from person to person, which is one reason outbreaks are uncommon. But when infection does occur, the consequences can be severe.
One of the most alarming features of hantavirus is its high fatality rate, particularly in cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
HPS can mimic symptoms of flu such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and nausea. However, it can rapidlyprogress into severe respiratory distresswhen the lungs fill with fluid.
According to the CDC, around 38% of patients who develop respiratory symptoms may die from HPS, making it one of the most lethal viral infections once it reaches the severe stage.
Due to the rapid progression of the infection, early detection is extremely difficult, which contributes to the virus's high fatality rate.
Source: International Business Times UK
