No signs of virus outbreak now, can change in coming weeks: WHO chief

At a time when the world is closely watching the developments around the hantavirus, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that at the moment, there is no sign of a major virus outbreak. However, in the coming weeks, we might see more cases given the virus's long incubation period, he said. He was addressing the media with Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, in Madrid. He also added that the work is not over to contain the virus, after the evacuations from the cruise ship MV Hondius. Meanwhile, a hospital in the Netherlands has quarantined over 12 of its staff after the blood and urine samples from a hantavirus patient were handled without observing strict protocols. As of now, the WHO has increased its tally of confirmed cases of the Andes hantavirus strain (the most dangerous strain of the virus) to nine. 

Why is the Andes strain deadly
The Andes strain of the hantavirus is considered deadly as it can cause 'Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome' or HPS, a fatal respiratory disease with 40% mortality rate. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that the Andes strain is also the only hantavirus that can spread between humans through close contact. It can also cause severe illnesses in close-contact, enclosed environments. 

Symptoms of the Andes virus
a) Fever
b) Fatigue
c) Pain and aches of large muscles like back, shoulders, hips and thighs
d) Dizziness
e) Chills
f) Headaches
g) Diarrhoea
h) Nausea
i) Vomiting

How to reduce risk
a) Don't share plates and vessels with suspected patients
b) Wash hands frequently
c) Avoid intimate contact with suspected patients
d) Don't share vapes, drinks, cigarettes with suspected patients

Andes virus treatment
Currently, no treatment is available for the virus, but early medical care to handle the rapidly developing symptoms is critical. Fever management, intravenous fluids, and oxygenation are the supportive care provided for treatment.