The virologist admitted the disease of the "zero patient" with hantavirus even before the cruise

The "patient zero" could have been infected with hantavirus even before the cruise on the MV Hondius liner. Such an opinion in a radio interview kp.ru On May 13, the chief researcher of the Institute of Virology of the FITZ FTM, virologist Alexander Chepurnov, expressed his opinion.

According to the expert, the "zero patient" was a man aged about 70 years. As previously reported by the media, the man participated in an ornithological expedition before the start of the cruise. Experts suggest that the infection occurred during the trip, as there are many rodents in bird-watching areas that carry the virus.

Chepurnov noted that the infection could have spread among tourists through contaminated products, but they have not yet been detected. In this regard, the Russian scientist considers the most likely scenario of transmission of the virus from the first patient to other passengers.

He added that the infection can spread quickly, although it was previously thought that hantavirus is transmitted slowly and requires close contact.

"This is a classic patient-zero situation. And if this is the case, then this is the most tense situation, because then the third generation of transmissions is on the way, and then it can be very bad," Chepurnov said.

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Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, epidemiologist, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Onishchenko said on the same day that the outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius does not pose a threat to residents of Russia, as the disease is well studied, and the methods of its treatment and prevention are already known. In addition, according to him, it is important to carry out preventive work with the public, explaining the rules of personal safety and hygiene.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO).The day before, he announced the detection of hantavirus in 11 passengers of the MV Hondius liner. It was clarified that nine of them have been confirmed as the Andes virus. According to Ghebreyesus, all suspected and confirmed cases are under strict medical supervision and isolation.