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Hantavirus Scare: Cruise Ship Cases Isolated, India Confident
8 May
Summary
- Two Indian nationals on a cruise ship were reportedly infected with hantavirus.
- Hantavirus transmission is primarily through rodents, not easily person-to-person.
- India has 165 labs equipped with RT-PCR for hantavirus detection.
Two Indian nationals on a cruise ship have reportedly tested positive for hantavirus, prompting health officials to monitor contacts. However, experts assert these cases are isolated and do not pose a significant public health risk to India at this time. Transmission of hantavirus typically occurs through contact with infected rodents or their excreta, rather than human-to-human spread, with rare exceptions documented for specific South American strains.
India's National Institute of Virology and its Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Network, comprising 165 labs, are equipped with RT-PCR facilities to detect hantavirus. Symptoms, appearing one to five weeks post-exposure, often mimic flu-like illnesses, including fever, body aches, and respiratory distress in severe cases.
Public health experts caution that environmental factors like climate change, flooding, and urbanization can increase the risk of rodent-borne diseases globally. While standard sanitation and rodent control measures are key, individuals in rodent-prone areas are advised to maintain hygiene and avoid exposure to prevent infections.
