‘Expect more cases’: Chilling Hantavirus warning from WHO Director General

There are 11 confirmed or suspected hantavirus cases that include the three deaths onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius.

Hantavirus is primarily carried by rodents and rarely infects humans.

Transmission can occur through contact with the saliva or droppings of infected rodents.

World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom commented on this.

“We cannot force them to take out protocols, we can only advise and recommend,” Mr Adhanom said.

“The incubation period is also six to eight weeks, so because of the interaction while they were still in the ship … we will expect more cases.”