BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 12. The risk of
hantavirus to the public is currently low, Trend reports, citing the
World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in
Azerbaijan.
According to the office, WHO is working with several countries
to respond quickly within the framework of the International Health
Regulations. The focus is on patient care, safety, and stopping
further spread:
"People usually get hantavirus from contact with infected
rodents, especially their urine, droppings, or saliva. Sometimes,
breathing in contaminated dust can cause infection. Rarely, rodent
bites can also spread the virus. Activities that increase risk
include cleaning closed or poorly ventilated areas, farming,
forestry work, or staying in places where rodents are present.
Person-to-person spread is very rare and has only been seen with
the Andes virus in the Americas. When it happens, it usually
involves close, long contact, such as between family members or
partners, especially early in the illness," the statement says.
WHO has informed 12 countries whose citizens were on the ship.
These include Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. WHO is also
helping South Africa follow up with people who were on a related
flight. International contact tracing is ongoing. Passengers have
been informed and asked to report any symptoms. WHO stresses the
importance of quickly identifying and managing any suspected cases
through testing, treatment, and isolation if needed. WHO is also
working closely with Argentina, which has experience managing this
type of virus, to better understand the situation and improve
response efforts.
WHO stated that Azerbaijan has laboratory capabilities for
diagnosing this virus:
"Azerbaijan has the capacity to test for hantavirus using PCR
methods in both human and animal health laboratories. WHO is also
working with laboratories across Europe to ensure reliable testing
for the Andes virus. If needed, samples can be safely sent to
specialized WHO reference laboratories for confirmation. WHO will
soon release updated laboratory guidance to support testing across
the region," the office noted.
WHO emphasized that it considers the overall global risk
low:
"For people who were on the ship, the risk is considered
moderate. Hantavirus does not spread easily. It usually spreads
from rodents to humans, and human-to-human transmission is very
rare. There are thousands of cases globally each year, which is not
a large number compared to the world population. The situation on
the ship is being handled carefully to reduce risk," the statement
highlighted.
The organization added that spreading rumors and unconfirmed
information is unacceptable.
