Khaberni - The World Health Organization announced on Friday that six confirmed cases of hantavirus have been recorded so far, out of eight suspected cases, following the virus's outbreak aboard a cruise ship.
In a statement from the United Nations agency, "As of May 8, a total of eight cases have been reported, including three deaths (a fatality rate of 38%). Six cases have been laboratory confirmed as hantavirus infections, all identified as being of the Andes virus strain (ANDV)."
The statement also added that "the World Health Organization assesses the risk posed by this event to the global population as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment."
The organization clarified that "the risk level for passengers and crew on board the ship is considered moderate."
No specific vaccines or treatments
The World Health Organization reassured on Thursday that the outbreak of hantavirus on board a cruise ship, which has claimed three lives, does not constitute "the start of a pandemic" or "an epidemic".
The three passengers who died since the start of the voyage are a German woman and a Dutch couple who toured South America before the cruise.
Meanwhile, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for this virus, which usually spreads from infected rodents particularly through contact with their urine, feces, and saliva.
The Andes strain, detected in the infected passengers, is the only strain known to transmit from person to person.
The ship "MV Hondius" sailed across the Atlantic Ocean since April 1, on a voyage from Cape Verde to the Canary Islands, where the remaining passengers and crew members, totaling about 150, will be monitored before they are allowed to return to their homes.
