World Health Organisation (WHO) reports suspected Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

Key facts

• The World Health Organisation (WHO), led by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported three deaths and three illnesses following a suspected Hantavirus infection outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic.
• Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne disease transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine that can cause life-threatening respiratory problems.
• The cruise liner, operated by a Dutch company, departed from Argentina three weeks ago and is currently positioned off the coast of Cabo Verde in West Africa.
• One case of the infection has been laboratory-confirmed and sequencing of the virus is ongoing, with one patient currently receiving intensive care in South Africa.
• WHO is managing the situation under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, a treaty that outlines the rights and obligations of countries in managing public health risks.