Is a new pandemic on the way?

The news of several passengers on a cruise ship contracting the Hanta virus and the death of some of them has revived memories of the anxious days of the Corona period; however, European health authorities say this virus is currently not considered a threat similar to COVID-19.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has stated that the risk of Hantavirus to the general public in Europe is assessed as 'very low'. Nevertheless, a strain called 'Andes', identified in this incident, has the potential for rare human-to-human transmission.

Hantaviruses are typically transmitted through rodents; that is, when contaminated particles found in the urine, saliva, or feces of animals enter the air and are inhaled by humans. This virus can cause severe respiratory illnesses and can threaten the patient's life in some cases.

Preliminary investigations indicate that at least one of the passengers contracted the virus before boarding the ship during their travel to Argentina or Chile and likely transmitted it to several others afterward. The Andes strain is more commonly seen in South America and is the only known type of Hanta that has the potential for human transmission.

Despite the concerns, European officials emphasize that the transmission of this virus is not easy and usually only occurs through very close and prolonged contact; for this reason, experts believe the likelihood of it becoming a global pandemic is very low.

Currently, the World Health Organization and health authorities in Spain are tracking the passengers and monitoring the situation of this ship to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

Source: Euronews