The expert spoke about the mortality rate of the new strain of hantavirus
In Russia, over 10,000 cases of hantavirus are recorded annually, but the strain that broke out on the MV Hondius liner is much more dangerous than the existing European variants. This was announced on May 8 by Alexander Gintsburg, Scientific director of the N. F. Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology (NITSEM).
"We have from 4,000 to 10,000 clinical cases of hantavirus infection per year," he said during an interview with TASS.
The expert stressed that hantavirus variants in Europe can cause exclusively hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, and mortality from it is relatively low — up to 10%. According to him, the viral strain found on the cruise ship causes a pulmonary infection, with a mortality rate of up to 50%.
France 24 TV channel reported on May 3 that an outbreak of hantavirus had occurred on board a ship en route from Argentina to Cape Verde. Later, the WHO press service reported that the number of infected had increased. At the moment, three deaths have been confirmed (a married couple from the Netherlands and a German citizen).
WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on May 7 that new cases of hantavirus infection could be identified due to the situation on the liner. He noted that the incubation period is six weeks.
On May 8, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor said that hantavirus in Russia is not transmitted from person to person, and the probability of mutation is extremely low. The ministry stressed that the situation with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the country remains stable and is under the control of specialists. Also, Rospotrebnadzor employees continue to monitor natural foci of infection, monitor the level of infection of rodents.
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