Context: Hantavirus
A suspected Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship near Cape Verde has led to deaths and infections, leaving ~150 passengers stranded and triggering evacuation and containment measures.
Hantavirus: Core Basics
1. Type
- Zoonotic viral infection (animal → human)
- Causes two syndromes:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – lungs
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) – kidneys
2. Transmission
- Spread mainly by rodents
- Infection through inhalation of virus from:
- Urine, droppings, saliva (airborne particles)
- Human-to-human spread: very rare
3. Symptoms
- Early: Fever, fatigue
- Advanced: Cough, breathlessness, fluid in lungs
4. Severity
- Can be life-threatening, especially HPS
- High fatality if untreated
5. Treatment
- No specific cure or vaccine
- Managed through supportive care (oxygen, fluids, ICU)
6. Origin
- Identified near Hantan River (South Korea) in the 1970s
