After the Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship "Hondius," which resulted in three deaths, the number of infected individuals has increased. Virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, head of the Department of Arbovirology and Entomology at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, assesses the situation in an interview with Info. Among the passengers of the affected ship was a person from Lower Saxony, who is currently abroad and under the supervision of local health authorities.
Schmidt-Chanasit states that the risk for Lower Saxony is low. The World Health Organization has reported six confirmed Hantavirus cases and two suspected cases related to the cruise ship as of Sunday. Three of these eight individuals have died as a result of the infection, including one German. The evacuation of the ship was completed on Monday evening, with a final group of 28 people leaving the vessel under strict safety precautions.
Question: What role does humans play in our native hantaviruses?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: Hantaviruses are transmitted from rodents to humans, and typically, humans are end hosts. This means that there is no human-to-human transmission with our native hantaviruses. The initial transmission occurs through inhalation of virus-containing dust.
Question: How is the virus transmitted?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: Rodents excrete the virus through feces, saliva, and urine. For example, when cleaning a shed or doing gardening, one can stir up these virus-containing dusts and become infected. In rare cases, there are reports of someone being infected through a mouse bite.
Question: Why is a Hantavirus outbreak on a ship rather unusual?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: On a ship, the conditions for virus transmission are not optimal. The confined space and hygiene measures make the spread less likely. However, such outbreaks can occur in exceptional cases.
Question: What measures are necessary to prevent the spread?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: Few and effective measures are required. Raising public awareness and adhering to hygiene rules are crucial to minimize the risk of infection.
Question: What are the biggest mistakes in pandemic management?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: Pandemic management often fails due to our decision-making system. It is important that we learn from past mistakes to be better prepared for future outbreaks.
Question: How do you assess the current situation?
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit: I expect the wave to end in two months. However, it is important to continue monitoring the situation closely and respond quickly if necessary.
