Why is hantavirus drawing global attention?, Pg14

Why in News?

A suspected outbreak of Hantavirus has trapped nearly 150 passengers aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius off the coast of Cape Verde.

The incident has drawn global attention due to the rare but potentially fatal nature of the disease.

Detailed Insights:

What is Hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that primarily cause two serious diseases:

Nature of the Disease

• Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans.
• Main Animal Carriers (Vectors)
• The virus is carried by certain rodents such as:

1. Deer mice
2. White-footed mice
3. Cotton ratsKey Concepts Involved:

Mode of Transmission

1. Humans usually contract the virus through:

• Infected Rodent Waste→Aerosolisation→Human Infection

    2. This occurs when virus-containing particles from:

• Urine
• Saliva
• Droppings

become airborne during activities such as:

• Sweeping
• Cleaning
• Handling infested materials

Human-to-Human Transmission

1. Generally, hantavirus does not spread between humans.
2. However, a rare strain called the Andes virus, found in:

• Argentina
• Chile

has shown limited human-to-human transmission.

Is There a Cure?

Currently:

• No specific antiviral drug
• No vaccine
• No definitive cure

Medical Management

Treatment is mainly supportive:

• Oxygen therapy
• Mechanical ventilation
• Intensive respiratory care

Key Concepts Involved: