Three passengers have died and three others are receiving treatment following a public health incident aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, health officials announced on Monday, May 4.
The World Health Organization said in a statement on Sunday that hantavirus has been confirmed in one case and is suspected in five others among the six people who fell ill.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Health, said two of the deceased were a married couple.
“The 70-year-old husband was declared dead on arrival in St. Helena, while the 69-year-old wife collapsed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport while trying to board a flight to the Netherlands, the couple’s home country. She later died at a local hospital”.
These cases have raised concern among health officials and the public over a possible hantavirus outbreak.
In the spirit of education and access to quality information, WITHIN NIGERIA – an online news platform has compiled findings on hantavirus to inform and educate readers and help prevent further spread.
Hantavirus belongs to a family of viruses primarily carried by rodents that can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening illness in humans. It is not transmissible from person to person, but spreads through contact with infected rodent urine, saliva, droppings, or dust from their nests and shelters.
When a human is infected with hantavirus, the resulting diagnosis is either Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
HOW CAN IT BE CONTRACTED?
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that infection most commonly occurs by inhaling airborne particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially in enclosed spaces where dust is stirred up.
Hantavirus can also enter the body through cuts in the skin or via the eyes, nose, or mouth after touching contaminated surfaces or materials.
Only rodents transmit hantavirus. While dogs and cats do not get infected, they can bring infected rodents into homes and indirectly increase exposure risk.
ILLNESSES HANTAVIRUS CAN CAUSE
Hantavirus can cause two distinct illnesses: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome occurs mostly in the Americas. It attacks the lungs, leading to fluid buildup and breathing difficulty. The fatality rate is estimated at 35-40%.
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) occurs mostly in Europe and Asia. It affects the kidneys and blood vessels, with a fatality rate of 1-15%.
SYMPTOMS
WITHIN NIGERIA learned that the incubation period is usually 1-8 weeks after exposure to hantavirus.
Early infection often feels like the flu: fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches (particularly in the thighs, hips, and back), headache, and in about half of cases, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
After 4 to 10 days, symptoms diverge. For Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), patients may develop a cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as the lungs fill with fluid.
For Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), patients may experience abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and kidney complications.
TREATMENT
As of now, there is no specific cure or vaccine for hantavirus infection.
Infected individuals require supportive care, which may include oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation for breathing assistance, fluid management, and dialysis if kidney failure occurs.
Early treatment improves the chances of survival. If left untreated, HPS can lead to lung failure and death in approximately 38% of cases.
PREVENTION
Avoiding rodent exposure is currently the only way to prevent hantavirus infection, since no vaccine is available.
People are advised to seal gaps in homes and garages, store food in sealed containers, and maintain clean environments to avoid attracting rodents or leaving food exposed.
Do not sweep or vacuum rodent droppings, as this can aerosolize the virus. Instead, wear gloves, spray the area with a bleach solution, wait 5 minutes, then wipe it with paper towels.
Pest control workers, farmers, forestry workers, and anyone cleaning rodent-infested areas should wear protective clothing and take extra precautions.
You should see a doctor immediately after possible rodent exposure if you develop flu-like symptoms and request testing.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
Recent reports indicate rising cases and higher lethality in parts of South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
