Hantavirus Could Sweep the World

Russian Academy of Sciences member Sergey Netisov confirmed that the "hantavirus" which spread among passengers of the tourist ship "MV Hondius" could sweep the world.

Netisov said that the spread may occur as a result of active tourism in potentially dangerous areas, including cruises to the poles and trips to South America, in addition to human contact with natural sources of the virus.

Hantavirus outbreak on board the "MV Hondius" ship

It is worth noting that the focus of the virus outbreak appeared at the beginning of last May on board the Dutch cruise ship "MV Hondius", which was on a voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde.

The World Health Organization stated that the total number of infections related to the ship reached 13 cases, including three deaths, while health authorities in 33 countries managed to identify and track more than 650 people who had contact with the infected.

The organization announced last July the end of the hantavirus outbreak associated with the tourist ship "MV Hondius", confirming that no new infections have been recorded since May 25 and that quarantine for all contacts has been completed.

"Hantaviruses" are considered part of the family of viruses that primarily infect small mammals, and can be transmitted to humans by inhaling dust contaminated with urine or feces of infected rodents. In severe cases, the virus may lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can cause acute respiratory and heart failure.