Key points
- In Ukraine, dozens of cases of hantavirus infection are registered every year, said the spokesperson for the Center for Public Health, Mykola Hanich.
- In Ukrainian conditions, the virus is transmitted exclusively from rodents to humans – through dust, contaminated surfaces, or food.
- WHO assesses the risk to public health from the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius as low – eight cases have been confirmed, three people have died.
- To reduce the risk, the Center for Public Health advises avoiding dry sweeping in premises with rodents and conducting wet cleaning with antiseptics.
In Ukraine, dozens of cases of hantavirus infection are recorded every year. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Center for Public Health, Mykola Hanich, in a TV interview.
According to him, in Ukraine, there are types of hantavirus that are transmitted exclusively from rodents to humans – through inhalation of dust, contaminated surfaces, or food that has come into contact with animal secretions. The virus, common in our region, is not transmitted between people.
An exception is the “Andes” strain, which in rare cases can be transmitted from person to person – only with prolonged and close contact with an infected person.
The statement by the Center for Public Health came amid an outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on March 20 and was scheduled to end its journey in Cape Verde on May 4. Eight cases have been recorded on board, three people have died – six infections have been laboratory-confirmed as the “Andes” virus. WHO assesses the risk to public health as low.
Hantaviruses cause two main types of diseases:
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is common in Europe and Asia, including Ukraine – it begins with a sudden increase in temperature, muscle pain, and headache, and later affects the kidneys.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) starts with symptoms of a cold or flu – fever, cough, body aches, – and after a few days turns into shortness of breath, lung swelling, and respiratory failure. The syndrome is characteristic of countries in the Western Hemisphere.
To reduce the risk of infection, the Center for Public Health advises avoiding dry sweeping in old and technical premises where rodents may be present, conducting wet cleaning with antiseptics, and working in gloves. Food should be stored in airtight containers.
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