Khaberni - The Director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed that the spread of the Hantavirus among passengers on a cruise ship in the Atlantic does not resemble the early stages of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
He also emphasized that the current risks to other countries remain low.
The French news agency quoted Ghebreyesus saying he "does not believe" that the situation arising from the outbreak of the Hantavirus aboard the cruise ship resembles the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the initial assessment indicates a limited risk of global spread of the virus at the present time.
It was announced that the virus outbreak occurred on a cruise ship in the Atlantic at the beginning of May, carrying 149 passengers, including one Russian citizen (uninfected).
According to the latest data from health authorities, seven tourists were diagnosed with the virus, three of whom died, while the others are receiving necessary medical care, including one patient who is undergoing treatment in intensive care in South Africa.
In a related development, the discovery of a more dangerous strain of the Hantavirus, capable of transmitting between humans, was revealed in a patient in Switzerland. However, the Swiss government confirmed that there is no risk of the disease spreading, indicating that cases remain isolated and under close monitoring.
It is noted that the Hantavirus is a group of pathogens primarily transmitted by rodents, capable of causing serious diseases affecting the lungs or kidneys. The virus is only transmitted through direct contact with rodents or their droppings, and does not spread from person to person under normal circumstances, unlike the coronavirus, which is characterized by its high ability to transmit between humans.
The World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities continue to closely monitor the situation, taking necessary preventive measures to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew, affirming that the current situation does not necessitate the imposition of any travel restrictions or exceptional measures at the international level.
