The World Health Organisation has said the average person has no reason to be concerned about potential hantavirus infection.
The clarification comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reassured Nigerians that no cases of hantavirus have been recorded in the country, following reports of an ongoing cluster linked to cruise ship travel.
According to epidemiologist and team lead for Field and Humanitarian Epidemiology at the WHO, Dr. Boris Pavlin, “This Andes hantavirus has spread in limited amount from human to human, this is not COVID, this is not passing someone in a hallway in an airport outside at a stadium and getting infected.”
He added that investigations into the origin of the cluster suggest the source is environmental rather than widespread human transmission, “there’s absolutely every reason to believe that this came from rodents” and that it did not originate from the region the ship departed, but elsewhere in northern Argentina and Chile, where the long-tailed rice rat, known to carry the Andes hantavirus strain, is common.
Pavlin further confirmed that the initial hantavirus cases on board the MV Hondius had previously travelled to that region in northern South America.
He also noted that no one on board is currently showing symptoms, with individuals “just being monitored as a precautionary measure.”
On Saturday, WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said concern was legitimate but assured local residents that the risk is low because of the nature of the disease.
In a public health advisory, NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria is closely monitoring the situation while maintaining surveillance for emerging infectious diseases.
The agency noted that reports indicate low risk to the general public, even though the outbreak involves a limited number of confirmed and suspected cases.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents, with human infection occurring through direct contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated dust particles.
Human cases are most commonly reported in rural environments where rodent exposure is more likely.
Early symptoms can include headache, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal issues, and may resemble other common infections.
There is no specific cure, with treatment focusing on early medical care and supportive therapy such as oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
Health experts continue to advise preventive measures, including keeping homes and food storage areas free of rodents, avoiding contact with rodent droppings, and seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms develop after possible exposure.
