Keeping Threat Of Hantavirus At Bay

risingnepaldaily.com · 20 hours ago

The hantavirus has been in the limelight since the Dutch cruise ship, the MV Hondius, saw an outbreak in April and May, infecting eleven people and causing three fatalities. Health officials coordinated repatriations and monitored the situation. The hantavirus affects rodents but can occasionally affect humans, transmitted through bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, and gastrointestinal issues. In the Americas, it causes hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, while in Europe and Asia, it causes haemorrhagic fever with renal failure. The Andes virus, detected on the ship, can spread from person to person. There is no specific treatment, and supportive care is adopted. The government has clarified that the threat of hantavirus disease is low in Nepal as the Andes virus has not been found in the country, but precautionary measures are advised.