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Andes Virus Outbreak
The confirms hantavirus cases and fatalities aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic near. The development is for global infectious disease surveillance.
Hantavirus:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses transmitted through urine, droppings, or saliva, causing severe disease in humans. |
| Virus | The species involved in this case is the Andes virus. |
| Disease 1 | Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) causes severe respiratory illness. |
| Disease 2 | Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) primarily affects the kidneys and causes vascular leakage. |
| Global Distribution | Hantaviruses are found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. |
| Transmission | Transmission mainly occurs through inhalation of aerosolised rodent droppings. |
| Human Transmission | Andes virus is the only known hantavirus species capable of human-to-human transmission. |
| Diagnosis | ELISA detects IgM antibodies, while RT-PCR detects viral RNA in blood during the early acute phase. |
| Incubation Period | The incubation period ranges from 1 to 8 weeks after exposure. |
| Early Symptoms | Fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, and mild diarrhoea. |
| Severe Symptoms | Respiratory distress, coughing, chest tightness, pneumonia-like signs, and possible respiratory failure. |
| Treatment | No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is currently available. Management is through supportive care. |
| Prevention | Rodent control, sanitation, and avoiding exposure to rodent habitats are the main preventive measures. |