Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

India Better Prepared For Hantavirus Outbreaks After COVID-19 Experience, Says Dr NK Ganguly | Exclusive

India is better prepared to deal with potential Hantavirus outbreaks due to the healthcare infrastructure and quarantine systems established during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dr NK Ganguly, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr Ganguly said that while isolated cases of Hantavirus have appeared in India in the past, especially in crowded peri-urban and urban settings in Kerala, large-scale outbreaks have largely been reported in countries such as China, Argentina, the UK, and the US.

Dr Ganguly said that India's healthcare system significantly improved after the deadly COVID pandemic.

“India is overprepared in a way that during the COVID-19, our system, even at the district level or in much more rural settings, got established,” he said.

He pointed out that hospitals now have access to ECMO, BPAP systems, ventilators, and oxygen management facilities to curb the spread in case of an outbreak.

Dr Ganguly also mentioned the availability of antiviral drugs and experimental vaccine efforts that could potentially be explored for hantavirus treatment. “There are some crude vaccines which are made here also,” he said.

He added that India’s quarantine systems and public health drills developed during COVID-19 would also help contain future outbreaks.

“I think India will be okay because of the sheer transmission dynamics of this virus,” he said.

Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease that primarily gets 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), 11 cases — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are likely to emerge across countries.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/hantavirus-can-linger-indoors-spread-through-contaminated-dust-says-infectious-disease-expert-article-154307211" data-type="tilCustomLink">Hantavirus Can Linger Indoors, Spread Through Contaminated Dust, Says Infectious Disease Expert</a>

The One Health approach is critical in understanding and containing outbreaks like hantavirus, Dr Ganguly said.

The One Health approach, which integrates human health, animal health, and environmental monitoring, is also crucial to target the emerging infectious diseases, he noted.

Further, the noted microbiologist stressed the importance of strengthening surveillance across humans, animals, and the environment.

He explained that disease surveillance requires collaboration between bird specialists, forest experts, environmental scientists, and mammologists, especially for tracking zoonotic infections such as avian flu and hantavirus.

“In avian flu, birds follow special migration routes, so we needed bird specialists, forest experts, environmental experts, and mammologists,” Dr Ganguly said.

The expert also highlighted the growing challenge posed by shrinking spaces between humans and animals and the role of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in emerging disease threats.

“Animal health is equally important. We need to maintain them, track their movements, and do surveillance,” he said.

Hantavirus Alert: Expert Explains How It May Affect Your Body #hantavirus

Dr Ganguly also warned that rising temperatures and shrinking boundaries between humans and animals could increase the risk of future infections.

“It is an environmental infection. With the rise of temperature, more hantavirus infections occur,” he told HealthandMe.

<h2>Why India Must Boost Surveillance</h2>

Calling surveillance one of the most critical tools in outbreak prevention, he urged India to strengthen monitoring systems for animals, vectors, and humans alike.

“We need to set up a dedicated surveillance for hantavirus in India, and we need to track hantavirus,” he said.

Dr Ganguly explained that to date, hantavirus cases in India have been detected accidentally during testing for respiratory infections or flu-like illnesses using advanced panel-based diagnostic systems.

“Like now these days, what happens is that when you are getting respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms, they put up a test system which is known as bio-fire or a thing like that which identifies 26 panels and gives the CT scoring of that, so from there, hantavirus emerged,” he said.

He added that India should strengthen surveillance tools and continue monitoring infections in animals, vectors, and humans alike.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

ganguly

dr nk ganguly

Hantavirus Outbreaks

Hantavirus

India Prepared For Hantavirus

indian council of medical research

dr ganguly

covid 19

Prateek Yadav: What Was the Serious Lung Condition That Claimed His Life?

‘Sea Or See?’ Donald Trump's Remark Sparks Fresh Cognitive Health Speculation

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

India is better prepared to deal with potential Hantavirus outbreaks due to the healthcare infrastructure and quarantine systems established during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dr NK Ganguly, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr Ganguly said that while isolated cases of Hantavirus have appeared in India in the past, especially in crowded peri-urban and urban settings in Kerala, large-scale outbreaks have largely been reported in countries such as China, Argentina, the UK, and the US.Dr Ganguly said that India's healthcare system significantly improved after the deadly COVID pandemic.“India is overprepared in a way that during the COVID-19, our system, even at the district level or in much more rural settings, got established,” he said.He pointed out that hospitals now have access to ECMO, BPAP systems, ventilators, and oxygen management facilities to curb the spread in case of an outbreak.Dr Ganguly also mentioned the availability of antiviral drugs and experimental vaccine efforts that could potentially be explored for hantavirus treatment. “There are some crude vaccines which are made here also,” he said.He added that India’s quarantine systems and public health drills developed during COVID-19 would also help contain future outbreaks.“I think India will be okay because of the sheer transmission dynamics of this virus,” he said.Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease that primarily gets 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), 11 cases — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are likely to emerge across countries.Also read: Hantavirus Can Linger Indoors, Spread Through Contaminated Dust, Says Infectious Disease ExpertImportance Of One HealthThe One Health approach is critical in understanding and containing outbreaks like hantavirus, Dr Ganguly said.The One Health approach, which integrates human health, animal health, and environmental monitoring, is also crucial to target the emerging infectious diseases, he noted.Further, the noted microbiologist stressed the importance of strengthening surveillance across humans, animals, and the environment.He explained that disease surveillance requires collaboration between bird specialists, forest experts, environmental scientists, and mammologists, especially for tracking zoonotic infections such as avian flu and hantavirus.“In avian flu, birds follow special migration routes, so we needed bird specialists, forest experts, environmental experts, and mammologists,” Dr Ganguly said.The expert also highlighted the growing challenge posed by shrinking spaces between humans and animals and the role of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in emerging disease threats.“Animal health is equally important. We need to maintain them, track their movements, and do surveillance,” he said.Need To Track Climate      Dr Ganguly also warned that rising temperatures and shrinking boundaries between humans and animals could increase the risk of future infections.“It is an environmental infection. With the rise of temperature, more hantavirus infections occur,” he told HealthandMe.Why India Must Boost SurveillanceCalling surveillance one of the most critical tools in outbreak prevention, he urged India to strengthen monitoring systems for animals, vectors, and humans alike.“We need to set up a dedicated surveillance for hantavirus in India, and we need to track hantavirus,” he said.Dr Ganguly explained that to date, hantavirus cases in India have been detected accidentally during testing for respiratory infections or flu-like illnesses using advanced panel-based diagnostic systems.“Like now these days, what happens is that when you are getting respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms, they put up a test system which is known as bio-fire or a thing like that which identifies 26 panels and gives the CT scoring of that, so from there, hantavirus emerged,” he said.He added that India should strengthen surveillance tools and continue monitoring infections in animals, vectors, and humans alike.