The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the hantavirus outbreak reported on a tourist vessel, which has so far caused three deaths, does not represent the beginning of either an epidemic or a pandemic.
“This is not the start of an epidemic. It is not the start of a pandemic, but it is an ideal opportunity to remind us that investments in research on such pathogens are vital, as treatments, diagnostic tests, and vaccines save lives,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove in Geneva, head of the WHO’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department.
The WHO stressed that the outbreak should remain limited if public health measures are implemented properly and if countries demonstrate solidarity.
“We believe this episode will remain contained if public health measures are applied and if countries show solidarity,” said Abdirahman Mahamoud, Director of Operations in the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, noting that cases have been confirmed in several countries.
At the same time, the WHO announced that Argentina is sending around 2,500 hantavirus testing kits to five countries, as the outbreak has triggered an international health alert following its detection on a cruise ship.
“We have organized the shipment of 2,500 diagnostic kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing in Geneva.
He also confirmed that the WHO has notified 12 countries whose citizens were among the 29 passengers aboard the ship where the outbreak was detected. These passengers had disembarked during a stop on April 24 on the British island of Saint Helena.
“The WHO has informed 12 countries from which citizens disembarked in Saint Helena. These countries are: Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” Ghebreyesus said.
