Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus: Israel Confirms 1st Case as UK, Spain Probe Suspected Infections; Should You Be Worried?

A deadly case of <span>hantavirus</span> has been confirmed in Israel, while health authorities in the UK and Spain are investigating suspected infections in three individuals, raising fresh concerns over the spread of the rare rat-borne disease.

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva, though rare cases of person-to-person transmission have also been reported.

According to the World Health Organization (<span>WHO</span>), eight cases — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are continuing to emerge across countries.

Despite growing concern, the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other health agencies have stated that the overall public health risk remains low.

Here’s a look at the countries reporting confirmed and suspected hantavirus cases.

The case in Israel, reported by the local newspaper Maariv, is believed to have been infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago. It is reportedly not linked to the ongoing outbreak linked to the <span>MV Hondius</span> cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The patient underwent an antibody test after the symptoms appeared, which showed exposure to hantavirus, the report said. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was then conducted to detect the virus’s genetic material, confirming the infection, it added.

The patient was said to be in stable condition, not in need of intensive care or strict isolation, and was being kept under medical observation.

Details about the patient and the medical center where the diagnosis was made could not yet be published, but have been reported to the country's Health Ministry.

The UK Health Security Agency had confirmed two British cases connected to the outbreak on board the MV Hondius. 

One remains in a stable condition in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship, the other remains in intensive care after being flown to South Africa last month.

A third case is also being suspected on the remote South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the ship stopped in mid-April, the UK HSA said.

In addition, the agency said that two British nationals are self-isolating at home after potential exposure to hantavirus on the cruise ship. The pair had disembarked earlier in the voyage and currently shows no symptoms.

They were part of a group of 30 people from a dozen nations - including seven Britons - who disembarked from the ship at St Helena in the south Atlantic on 24 April, according to operator Oceanwide Expeditions. Four Britons who disembarked on St Helena remain there, BBC reported.

They do not have symptoms but are in contact with health officials. It is understood that medical staff will be sent to the islands to provide support.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/donald-trump-says-hantavirus-is-under-control-questions-grow-over-cdc-research-cuts-article-154273752" data-type="tilCustomLink">Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research Cuts</a>

A 32-year-old woman who shared an airplane with a MV Hondius cruise ship passenger who later died of hantavirus is now showing symptoms consistent with the disease, Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said while speaking to the media. 

The woman ⁠has been taken to a hospital in Alicante, where she ⁠remains in isolation, he added. Her symptoms included coughing and "general malaise".

She is being transferred to a hospital in the city of Alicante where she will be tested ‌for ⁠the virus, with results expected 24 to 48 hours later, according to a statement on the regional health department's website.

Padilla said the woman, a resident of Alicante in the Valencia region, ⁠was sitting two rows behind the cruise ship passenger, but the contact between them "was brief" since the passenger had only been "on ⁠board for a short time" during the flight.

The World Health Organization confirmed that a KLM flight attendant, who was isolating in an Amsterdam hospital with mild symptoms after being in brief contact with a hantavirus patient, has tested negative for the virus.

Her case supports the WHO experts’ theory that the rat-borne disease can only be transmitted person-to-person through prolonged, close contact.

Two Singaporean residents who were onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have tested negative for the virus, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said today.

The 67-year-old and a 65-year-old had been tested and isolated in the city state. The CDA's National Public Health Laboratory conducted testing on multiple samples collected from the individuals and confirmed that hantavirus, including the Andes virus, was not detected, it said.

“The risk to the general public in Singapore is currently low,” the CDA said.

What Is Hantavirus, The Deadly Virus on Atlanta Cruise Ship? #shorts #shortsfeed

<h2>Hantavirus: The Common Symptoms And How To Reduce Your Risk</h2>

According to the CDC, symptoms can appear one to eight weeks after exposure, initially presenting fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the disease progresses, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid accumulates in the lungs.

The CDC reports that about one-third of individuals who develop respiratory symptoms from the disease may not survive.

You can reduce your risk by eliminating and minimizing your contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite. The best way is to seal holes and gaps in your home or garage and keep the rodents from entering your home. You can also place traps in and around your home to decrease rodent infestation. Clean up any easy-to-get food that could attract rodents.

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A deadly case of hantavirus has been confirmed in Israel, while health authorities in the UK and Spain are investigating suspected infections in three individuals, raising fresh concerns over the spread of the rare rat-borne disease.Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva, though rare cases of person-to-person transmission have also been reported.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), eight cases — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are continuing to emerge across countries.Despite growing concern, the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other health agencies have stated that the overall public health risk remains low.Here’s a look at the countries reporting confirmed and suspected hantavirus cases. IsraelThe case in Israel, reported by the local newspaper Maariv, is believed to have been infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago. It is reportedly not linked to the ongoing outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.The patient underwent an antibody test after the symptoms appeared, which showed exposure to hantavirus, the report said. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was then conducted to detect the virus’s genetic material, confirming the infection, it added.The patient was said to be in stable condition, not in need of intensive care or strict isolation, and was being kept under medical observation. Details about the patient and the medical center where the diagnosis was made could not yet be published, but have been reported to the country's Health Ministry.UK The UK Health Security Agency had confirmed two British cases connected to the outbreak on board the MV Hondius. One remains in a stable condition in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship, the other remains in intensive care after being flown to South Africa last month.A third case is also being suspected on the remote South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the ship stopped in mid-April, the UK HSA said.In addition, the agency said that two British nationals are self-isolating at home after potential exposure to hantavirus on the cruise ship. The pair had disembarked earlier in the voyage and currently shows no symptoms.They were part of a group of 30 people from a dozen nations - including seven Britons - who disembarked from the ship at St Helena in the south Atlantic on 24 April, according to operator Oceanwide Expeditions. Four Britons who disembarked on St Helena remain there, BBC reported.They do not have symptoms but are in contact with health officials. It is understood that medical staff will be sent to the islands to provide support.Also read: Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research CutsSpainA 32-year-old woman who shared an airplane with a MV Hondius cruise ship passenger who later died of hantavirus is now showing symptoms consistent with the disease, Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said while speaking to the media.  The woman ⁠has been taken to a hospital in Alicante, where she ⁠remains in isolation, he added. Her symptoms included coughing and "general malaise". She is being transferred to a hospital in the city of Alicante where she will be tested ‌for ⁠the virus, with results expected 24 to 48 hours later, according to a statement on the regional health department's website.Padilla said the woman, a resident of Alicante in the Valencia region, ⁠was sitting two rows behind the cruise ship passenger, but the contact between them "was brief" since the passenger had only been "on ⁠board for a short time" during the flight.Netherlands The World Health Organization confirmed that a KLM flight attendant, who was isolating in an Amsterdam hospital with mild symptoms after being in brief contact with a hantavirus patient, has tested negative for the virus. Her case supports the WHO experts’ theory that the rat-borne disease can only be transmitted person-to-person through prolonged, close contact.Singapore Two Singaporean residents who were onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have tested negative for the virus, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said today.The 67-year-old and a 65-year-old had been tested and isolated in the city state. The CDA's National Public Health Laboratory conducted testing on multiple samples collected from the individuals and confirmed that hantavirus, including the Andes virus, was not detected, it said.“The risk to the general public in Singapore is currently low,” the CDA said.   Hantavirus: The Common Symptoms And How To Reduce Your RiskAccording to the CDC, symptoms can appear one to eight weeks after exposure, initially presenting fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the disease progresses, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid accumulates in the lungs.The CDC reports that about one-third of individuals who develop respiratory symptoms from the disease may not survive.You can reduce your risk by eliminating and minimizing your contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite. The best way is to seal holes and gaps in your home or garage and keep the rodents from entering your home. You can also place traps in and around your home to decrease rodent infestation. Clean up any easy-to-get food that could attract rodents.