The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that eight people have been affected in the ongoing hantavirus outbreak, with three deaths recorded. Five of the cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections, while the remaining three are considered suspected cases.
WHO Announces Number of People Affected and Deaths
According to the WHO, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus, and the other three are suspected. The organisation assessed the overall public health risk as low despite the seriousness of the outbreak.
The WHO noted that the situation demonstrates the importance of the International Health Regulations and the need for coordinated international response efforts. The global health body is collaborating with several governments and international partners to contain the outbreak and ensure proper medical care for those affected.
Spain Accepts Ship Heading to Canary Islands
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez agreed to receive the affected ship in the Canary Islands following discussions with the organisation. The WHO expressed confidence in Spain's ability to manage the health risk associated with the outbreak.
Medical Experts Deployed Onboard
The WHO confirmed that international medical experts had boarded the ship to assess passengers and crew members for possible infection. The team includes WHO specialists, doctors from the Netherlands, and experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. They are conducting a medical assessment of everyone on board and gathering information to assess their risk of infection.
Diagnostic Kits Distributed to Five Countries
As part of containment measures, the WHO disclosed that 2,500 diagnostic kits had been shipped from Argentina to laboratories across five countries. The organisation will continue supporting affected nations to prevent further spread of the virus while ensuring passengers and crew are treated safely and respectfully.
The WHO priorities are to ensure that affected patients receive care, that the remaining passengers on the ship are kept safe and treated with dignity, and to prevent any further spread of the virus.
