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The World Health Organization (WHO) says the hantavirus outbreak in South Africa is almost over, with the total number of cases holding at 13, including three deaths.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the update on social media, confirming that contact tracing for all individuals linked to the two initial cases detected in South Africa has been completed and that no additional cases have been reported.
Ghebreyesus said that quarantine and follow-up for contacts in Spain and the Netherlands, including the MV Hondius crew, are now finished. As of June 25, 30 contacts are still being monitored.
In his statement, Ghebreyesus said: "The situation is stable, and the outbreak is nearing its end. WHO extends its thanks to all countries involved in the response for their cooperation."
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses, not just one disease, usually spread through contact with infected rodents. Most infections happen after contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
The strain found in the MV Hondius outbreak is the Andes virus, named after the Andes Mountains in Latin America. Unlike most hantavirus strains, the Andes virus can sometimes spread from person to person, primarily among people in very close contact. South African health officials confirmed the Andes strain in two people who were evacuated from the ship.
Medical specialists at the Biruni University Faculty of Medicine Hospital warn that hantavirus infection may initially present with symptoms similar to the flu. Early recognition is important, especially for people who have been around rodents.
According to the hospital, early symptoms include high fever, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, and a dry cough.
At first, it may look like a common upper respiratory infection, but in some cases, the disease can worsen, causing serious breathing problems and affecting the kidneys.
Professor Dr. Sinem Iliaz, a chest diseases specialist at the hospital, said the infection is often hard to tell apart from the flu at first. 'Patients may present with fever, fatigue, and widespread muscle pain at the beginning.
However, in certain cases, the condition may deteriorate and lead to serious respiratory distress and lung involvement,' she said.
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