Hantavirus Identified as Cause of Death on Cruise Ship, But Not a New Pathogen
The Hantavirus, identified as the cause of death of three people on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, is not a new pathogen, according to Dr. Zouhair Souissi, Vice-President of the Tunisian Association of Thoracic Diseases and Allergies.
Speaking on Diwan Fm, the specialist explained that the first descriptions of cases date back to 1950. He noted that the virus is well-known in the scientific community and primarily circulates among rodents, particularly rats, which are its main reservoir.
Human Infection: A Rare Occurrence
Dr. Souissi explained that humans are not natural hosts of the virus, but can be infected indirectly. The transmission occurs mainly through contact with rodent droppings. Once dry, these droppings can transform into dust particles, which, when inhaled, become a vector of infection.
Multiple Strains Complicate Analysis
There are approximately 30 different strains of the Hantavirus today, which complicates epidemiological analysis and understanding of its behavior.
A Potentially Deadly Virus
Although known for several decades, the virus remains concerning due to its danger. Dr. Souissi highlighted that mortality can reach up to 50% in some cases, making it a serious infection.
Incubation Period: A Diagnostic Challenge
The incubation period, relatively long, varies between two weeks and a month. This characteristic makes diagnosis more complex, as symptoms appear late after exposure.
Case on Cruise Ship: Further Analysis Needed
Regarding the case detected on the cruise ship, Dr. Souissi stated that scientific authorities are still waiting for the genetic sequencing results to determine the exact nature of the circulating strain.
"We are still waiting for the genetic sequencing to know if it's a new strain and if it's transmissible to humans," he said, emphasizing the importance of these analyses to evaluate the real risk level.
WHO Monitoring the Situation
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three people have died on the cruise ship. One of the victims was confirmed to be infected with the Hantavirus after laboratory analysis. The organization also reported the presence of five other suspected cases, currently under investigation.
The WHO notes that, at this stage, only one case has been formally confirmed, while the others require additional analysis to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Ongoing Surveillance
In the meantime, health authorities continue to monitor the situation, particularly to determine if the identified strain presents an increased risk of interhuman transmission.
Read more: Trois morts sur un navire…qu’est-ce que le hantavirus et comment se transmet-il ?
