The risk of hantavirus spread in Armenia is currently assessed as low, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.
According to the World Health Organization, on May 2, the United Kingdom’s national health coordination body received an alert about a cluster of severe acute respiratory illnesses aboard a cruise ship sailing under the Dutch flag.
The voyage began in Ushuaia, Argentina. There were 147 people on board, including 88 passengers and 59 crew members representing around 23 nationalities.
As of May 6, seven cases had been recorded:
▪️ 2 laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases
▪️ 5 suspected cases
▪️ 3 deaths
▪️ 1 patient in critical condition
▪️ 3 individuals with mild symptoms
The illness manifested with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, rapidly developing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.
The detected virus was the Andes hantavirus, which in rare cases can also be transmitted from person to person, mainly through close and prolonged contact.
The primary mode of transmission remains contact with the urine, feces or saliva of infected rodents.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization have currently assessed the risk to the general population as very low.
Necessary anti-epidemic measures have been implemented, while individuals aboard the ship remain under monitoring.
“The situation in Armenia also remains under control, and there is no danger to the population. The risk of hantavirus spread in our country is currently assessed as low, while healthcare institutions continue monitoring international epidemiological developments,” the statement said.
The WHO is not currently recommending any travel or trade restrictions.
