By Harry Benscher (Year 10)
CASES ARE VERY RARE IN AUSTRALIA
Hantavirus otherwise known as Orthohantavirus is a virus that is transmitted through rodents. There are two types of illnesses that Hantavirus can cause
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
These are not transmissible from human to human but can be caught from breathing in air which is contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Or touching surfaces that are infected with specific of virus. Hantavirus can be fatal, and the first option mentioned has a very high fatality rate (HPS). However, if you treat it early enough you will not die.
There has been a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship which has killed 3 people. WHO is currently assisting the situation, and the cruise is most likely going to the Canary Island from Cape Verde.
“The risk to the wider public remains low,” – Hans Kluge (WHO regional director)
This is only suspected to be a hantavirus outbreak; the cruise ship has requested urgent help with another 3 illnesses reported. IF there was an outbreak it would most likely be in a cruise ship since a air-condition duct would be a perfect place for hantavirus to spread. This is still an ongoing and recent story.