TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Hantavirus infections are rare in Belarus, with an average of about 50 people hospitalized each year with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) caused by the virus.
This fact is based on data from the medical service of the Department of Finance and Logistics at the Gomel Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, as discovered by a RIA Novosti correspondent on Wednesday, May 13.
As quoted by ANTARA, the ministry said in a statement that Hantavirus infection in the country is detected as isolated cases annually, with an average of about 50 people hospitalized with HFRS.
The statement stated that most hantavirus infections are not transmitted between humans. Humans can contract the virus from rodents. The most severe cases result from inhaling dust containing rodent droppings.
Medical specialists also believe further spread of the infection beyond the cruise ship is highly unlikely. This is primarily because all passengers have been isolated in specialized medical facilities and will remain in quarantine for the next 45 days. However, they did not rule out the possibility of new cases being detected among passengers currently undergoing quarantine.
A deadly hantavirus outbreak occurred on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, with three deaths reported. The cruise ship arrived off the coast of the Canary Islands on May 9, and its passengers were immediately evacuated.
On Tuesday, May 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 11 cases of hantavirus on the ship, with 9 confirmed as Andes virus.
Read: WHO: No New Hantavirus Deaths Reported Since May 2
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