Hantavirus: What is it and how is it spread?

[0:00] So there's been an outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship [0:03] and that's led to the death of some passengers. [0:05] So what do we know about this virus? [0:09] What is Hantavirus? [0:10] Well, Hantavirus, it's named after a river in South Korea [0:14] and that word, Hantavirus, really describes a sort of family of viruses. [0:18] Around 20 viral species have been identified [0:21] according to the World Health Organisation. [0:23] It's not just one infection. [0:25] It's really serious, but it's also relatively rare [0:29] and it's linked to exposure to rats and mice. [0:32] The risk is typically highest when someone's doing something like, [0:35] for example, cleaning out a building that's had a rodent infestation. [0:39] So most of the human cases are reported in rural settings [0:42] such as forests, fields or farms where rodents are present [0:46] and that means the opportunities for exposure are greatest. [0:50] Where could this outbreak have come from? [0:53] That's a really, really important question [0:55] and the answer is we don't yet know. [0:57] All the cases are linked to this cruise ship, the MV Hondias, [1:01] which set sail from the very southern tip of Argentina [1:04] at the very beginning of April. [1:07] But the first two fatalities, who are a Dutch couple, [1:10] they're reported to have travelled through South America [1:12] before boarding the ship. [1:14] Now, that's really important because it's possible [1:16] that one or both of them came into contact with the virus [1:20] during their travels. [1:22] And one version of the virus, known as Andes virus, [1:25] that's been identified as causing infection in humans [1:28] in both Argentina and in Chile. [1:31] So, for example, in late 2018, there was an Argentinian outbreak [1:35] that was traced back to people who'd all gone to the same party. [1:39] A single person with the virus led to 34 confirmed cases and 11 deaths. [1:44] How does it spread? Is it airborne? [1:47] Yeah, it is slightly airborne. [1:48] So, it's transmitted, actually, by rodents, typically rats and mice, [1:53] through their dried urine and the droppings, [1:55] which are then blown into the air and inhaled. [1:58] That's where it is slightly airborne. [2:00] So, mostly, yes, it is spread from rodents, [2:02] but there have been these relatively rare cases [2:05] of human-to-human transmission of this virus, [2:08] known as the Andes virus. [2:09] What are the symptoms? [2:10] Well, the virus can cause two really severe illnesses. [2:14] The first is called Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, [2:18] and it often starts with sort of flu-like symptoms, really. [2:20] You can get fatigue, fever, muscle aches, [2:23] then followed by headaches, dizziness, chills, upset stomachs. [2:27] But then, this is where it starts to get very serious, [2:30] you get respiratory symptoms developed. [2:32] So, for example, breathlessness. [2:34] And the mortality rate associated with this type of illness [2:37] is around 38%, so more than a third of the people, [2:40] according to the Centre for Disease Control in the United States, [2:43] will die if they get that type of the virus. [2:47] The second illness is called Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, [2:51] and this is even more severe and primarily affects the kidneys. [2:55] So, later symptoms can include low blood pressure, [2:58] internal bleeding, and also acute kidney failure. [3:02] The mortality rate for this version is 50%, [3:05] so half the people who get it are likely to die. [3:08] Who should be more worried? [3:09] Is it more dangerous if an old person catches it? [3:11] Well, obviously, if you're older or frail, [3:14] or even if you have underlying health conditions, [3:17] any sort of serious infection like this [3:19] could have devastating consequences. [3:21] So, it's pretty serious, however old or young you are. [3:24] How do you test for it? [3:27] So, there are currently some cases that have been confirmed [3:29] and some that are still suspected. [3:31] But the way you test for it is what's called a PCR test. [3:35] Now, people may remember these from the COVID pandemic, [3:37] when you might have a swab inside your cheek or up your nose. [3:41] What it is is a molecular biology technique [3:43] that can quickly amplify or copy specific DNA segments, [3:48] and that can create millions or even billions of copies [3:51] from a very, very minute sample. [3:53] And that allows, in other words, genetic testing. [3:56] What's the treatment if you do have it? [3:59] So, there is no specific treatment [4:01] or indeed vaccinations for Hunter virus infections. [4:05] Instead, medical teams will be supporting [4:07] and treating the symptoms of the infection. [4:10] Things like breathlessness, for example. [4:12] And that's called supportive care. [4:15] So, that might include everything from oxygen therapy, [4:17] mechanical ventilation, antiviral treatments, [4:20] even dialysis if you have the most serious version [4:23] of the illness which can affect your kidneys. [4:27] So, will we have another lockdown? [4:29] Is this like coronavirus 2.0? [4:31] It's obviously still a really serious situation [4:35] for those who remain on board the cruise ship. [4:37] There must be a lot of worry about more cases emerging [4:41] among the remaining passengers and the crew on board. [4:45] But the World Health Organisation says that currently [4:47] the risk to the global population is low. [4:51] But public health experts are going to continue to monitor [4:53] and assess that situation. [4:55] That risk assessment will be updated if they think it's necessary. [4:58] So, at the moment, no, I think we are a long way from a lockdown [5:02] and this really doesn't look like a coronavirus moment. [5:06] It's understandable why people might worry about that. [5:09] We all remember the beginning of the COVID pandemic [5:11] when cruise ships in particular seemed to be vulnerable [5:15] to infections like this. [5:16] But I'd say we're still some way off that kind of emergency. [5:19] So, let's see.