Hi readers!
Be prepared to face the newly appearing Hantavirus: a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. Please remember a famous quote of Buddha that says,
“Keeping the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.”
So, keep your body healthy by preventing the virus threat.
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents (small placental mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and rabbits etc., having constantly growing pointed teeth specialized for chewing/biting) and are occasionally transmitted to humans. In America, infection has been known to lead to Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS): a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart, while in Europe and Asia, hantaviruses have been known to cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects kidneys and blood vessels.
Zoonotic viruses are those that jump from vertebrate animals (livestock, pets, and wildlife) to humans and are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and mosquitoes. More than 60% of human pathogens are zoonotic, including Rabes, Ebola, and COVID-19.
Livestock animals are domesticated species raised for food meat, dairy, eggs, fiber (wool), and labor. The most common livestock includes cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, and turkeys and are vital for agriculture, material and power production.
Hantaviruses were first discovered during Korean War as a common ailment in soldiers stationed near the Hantan River while the first hantavirus was isolated in 1978 in South Korea and was named as Hantan virus and was considered responsible for the outbreak of HFRS during the war and later discovered throughout Eurasia.
In 1982, the World Health Organization gave HFRS its name, and in 1987, hantaviruses were classified as a distinct genus for the first time. In 1993, an outbreak of HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome) occurred in the United States, which led to the discovery of pathogenic New World hantaviruses and the second disease caused by hantaviruses. Since then, hantaviruses have been found not just in rodents but also in moles, shrews, and bats as well.
On 2nd May 2026, WHO received notification from the IHR NFP of the United Kingdom of Great Britain regarding a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness, including two deaths and one critically ill passenger on board of the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. Till May 13th. 2026, a total of 11 cases, including three deaths, have been reported. Since the last disease outbreak news was published on 8th May, two additional confirmed cases have been reported from France and one from Spain. One case was repatriated to the United States of America and is being retested. All cases are confirmed for ANDV infection caused by Andes virus: a potentially severe and often fatal rodent-borne pathogen found primarily in South America. All the passengers with confirmed cases were onboard Cruise ship: the MV Hondius.
Dear readers! We will be sacrificing the cattle, sheep and goat on Eid-ul Adha when those who own and slaughter these animals needs to be extra careful. Children should not be allowed to go near and touch these animals as reducing contacts between people and infected animals will save them from viral infection. It is also necessary to wear protective gloves before slaughtering which is a primary protection to remain save from respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications. Please focuses on close clinical monitoring and management as other than early supportive medical care and prevention, there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection.
So, prevent it right now as “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” says Benjamin Frankln: one of the founding fathers of United States.
That’s all for now dear readers. Wish you a Happy and Safe Eid ul Adha. See you again. Till then,
Take care, Bye.
