health
'As time goes on, hantavirus is spreading more and more': Experts in Argentina try to determine if their country is the source of a deadly epidemic
Officials and experts in Argentina are trying to determine if their country is the source of a deadly hantavirus epidemic that has affected a cruise ship. According to media reports, some passengers have already been returned to their home countries, The Guardian reports.
TL;DR
- Argentina is investigating its potential role as the source of a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
- Three passengers have died from the Andes virus, with others hospitalized or evacuated.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with authorities to monitor passengers and crew, both on and off the ship.
- Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is rare, but has been documented in some past outbreaks of this strain.
- Climate change is cited by experts as a factor contributing to the increased spread of hantavirus by expanding rodent habitats.
- The virus's incubation period makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact time and location of infection.