The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged countries around the world to step up their preparedness for a possible increase in hantavirus cases.
This is reported by The Guardian.
According to the head of the WHO, new outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in several countries in recent weeks, so health systems should step up monitoring and preparation.
"At the moment, there are no signs that we are seeing the beginning of a larger outbreak. But the situation could change," Ghebreyesus said.
The WHO stressed that this is not a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19, but due to the virus's long incubation period, the number of cases may increase in the coming weeks.
Hantavirus is transmitted mainly through contact with rodents or their waste products. The infection can cause serious damage to the lungs and kidneys.
According to The Guardian, the greatest concern is the increase in cases in some regions of Asia and South America, where epidemiological control has already been strengthened.
The WHO also recommended that governments update their plans to respond to infectious outbreaks, check the readiness of hospitals and laboratories, and strengthen international information exchange.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, one Ukrainian citizen was planned to be evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship, on which an outbreak of the deadly hantavirus occurred. The other four Ukrainians will remain on the ship as part of the crew and will ensure the ship's passage to the Netherlands.
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