health
Scientist Claims: This Could Be the Cause of Hantavirus Spread
Cases of human-to-human transmitted hantavirus in Argentina decades ago have returned to the spotlight after three people died from the virus on the Dutch cruise ship 'MV Hondius' that sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde, and an Argentine scientist warns that global drought could be the cause of the virus's spread, 'The Guardian' writes today.
TL;DR
- Three people died from hantavirus on the Dutch cruise ship 'MV Hondius' en route from Argentina to Cape Verde.
- An Argentine scientist suggests global drought and climate change may be contributing to the spread of hantavirus by influencing rodent populations.
- Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus was first documented 30 years ago in rural Argentina, previously thought to spread only through rodent contact.
- The Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain known to transmit between humans, is found mainly in parts of Argentina and Chile.
- Argentina has experienced an increase in hantavirus cases in the past year, but scientists state the country is accustomed to managing the virus.
- The World Health Organization considers the risk of hantavirus to the general population to be very low, with human-to-human transmission not occurring easily.
- Argentine health authorities are investigating potential contamination sources, including attempting to capture rodents along the route traveled by the infected passengers.