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Hantavirus News In Hindi: The world had not yet fully recovered from the impact of the Corona epidemic that now another deadly virus &8216;Hantavirus&8217; Has raised concerns at the international level. A Dutch cruise ship ‘MV Hondius’ departed from Argentina. But three passengers have died due to the spread of this virus. After this incident, the World Health Organization (WHO) came on alert mode and a debate has erupted among scientists around the world regarding the behavior of this virus.

Is this an epidemic like Corona?

As soon as the news of deaths on the cruise ship came, the whole world started fearing a new epidemic. However, the WHO chief has dismissed this fear in a recent media briefing. The organization has clearly stated that Hantavirus is not a new virus nor is it an epidemic like Covid-19. According to WHO, this is not the same situation that the world saw six years ago and if we look at the total risk, it is negligible now.

How did the infection start?

WHO Said that a total of 8 cases to this cruise ship have been reported so far, out of which Hantavirus has been confirmed in five and three are suspected. The infection started on 6 April. A male passenger became symptomatic and died on board the ship on 11 April. After this, another infected person reached Johannesburg, South Africa, where he also died. There is also a report of a case in Switzerland.

Hantavirus, infographic

Alert given to 12 countries

Considering the seriousness of this threat, WHO has officially issued an alert to the 12 countries whose citizens disembarked from this ship in St. Helena. Britain among these countries, AmericaCanada, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore and Turkey. Currently, a team of Dutch doctors and European disease prevention experts are medically examining everyone on board.

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is spread mainly through contact with rats, their saliva, urine or feces. However, certain strains, such as the one seen in Argentina in 2018, can also spread from person to person in closed spaces. Its initial symptoms are very common which include fever, body ache and weakness but suddenly the condition starts worsening.

The virus weakens the blood vessels of the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid and the patient has severe difficulty breathing. In serious cases, ECMO machine is required to save the life of the patient. WHO has stressed that the incubation period of the virus can be up to 6 weeks, so some more cases may be reported in the coming days, but the situation is under control.