health
Batut Director on the Risk of Hantavirus in Serbia
Speaking about the hantavirus that appeared on a cruise ship and claimed three lives, the director of the Batut Institute, Professor Verica Jovanović, tells RTS that the virus has not mutated in 30 years and there is no danger of a pandemic. There is no reason for concern in Serbia as there were no passengers from the disputed cruise ship, says Jovanović, adding that the health system is ready to respond if necessary.
TL;DR
- Professor Verica Jovanović, director of the Batut Institute, stated there is no risk of a hantavirus pandemic.
- The specific hantavirus strain involved has not mutated in 30 years.
- There are no passengers from the affected cruise ship in Serbia, thus no reason for concern.
- The Serbian health system is prepared to respond if needed.
- Hantavirus is typically spread from rodents to humans, but the Andes strain can rarely transmit between people.
- Symptoms vary by strain, with the Andes strain causing flu-like symptoms and rapid lung damage.
- Passengers from the cruise ship are under strict epidemiological surveillance.