Hantavirus risk in Armenia low, authorities say

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a cluster of severe respiratory illness linked to Andes hantavirus aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship that departed Ushuaia, Argentina. By May 6, seven cases had been identified, including two laboratory-confirmed infections, five suspected cases, three fatalities, and one patient in critical condition. Symptoms included fever, gastrointestinal distress, rapidly progressing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.

The outbreak involved 147 individuals, including 88 passengers and 59 crew members, from 23 nationalities. WHO noted that while hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents’ excreta, rare human-to-human transmission can occur under conditions of prolonged close contact.

Both WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently assess the risk to the wider population as very low. Armenia’s National Center for Disease Control and Prevention has likewise stated that the situation is under control domestically, with no threat to public health.

WHO has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions in response to the incident.