The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a Disease Outbreak News alert regarding a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship travel. The outbreak involves passengers from multiple countries who traveled on vessels visiting ports in Argentina and Chile during the Southern Hemisphere summer season.\n\nAs of the latest report, several confirmed cases have been identified among travelers who visited endemic areas in Patagonia. Health authorities in Argentina, Chile, and passenger home countries are conducting contact tracing and surveillance activities.\n\nHantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is transmitted primarily through inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta. The case fatality rate for HPS ranges from 30-40%, making early detection and supportive care critical.\n\nThe WHO recommends that travelers to endemic areas avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and that cruise operators implement enhanced cleaning protocols in high-risk port areas.
WHO Issues Alert on Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship Travel
The World Health Organization has issued a Disease Outbreak News regarding a multi-country hantavirus cluster associated with cruise ship travel in South America.
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