فيروس “هانتا” يستنفر أوروبا ومنظمة الصحة تستبعد تحوله لجائحة – الجزيرة نت

European health authorities are on high alert following reports of Hanta virus cases, though the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the virus is unlikely to evolve into a global pandemic.

The current situation has prompted immediate precautionary actions in several countries, including the United Kingdom and Italy, as health officials monitor the spread of the virus across the region.

In France, reports indicate that a woman is currently in critical condition after contracting the virus. The severity of her case has contributed to the heightened state of vigilance among European medical communities.

The outbreak has also been linked to maritime travel. Reporting from Sky News Arabia indicates the involvement of an infected ship, with the vessel’s captain issuing a message to the international community regarding the situation on board.

A significant lapse in medical protocol was reported by Euronews, resulting in the quarantine of 12 health workers. The quarantine was ordered after a wrong procedure was performed on a patient infected with the Hanta virus, highlighting the risks associated with improper handling of the pathogen in clinical settings.

Understanding the Hanta Virus

Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses, which means they are transmitted from animals to humans. In most cases, human infection occurs through the inhalation of aerosolized particles from the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.

Once the virus enters the human body, it can lead to two primary clinical syndromes depending on the strain of the virus and the geographic region. These include Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which targets the lungs and can cause rapid respiratory failure, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys.

Common early symptoms of Hanta virus infection often include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, the progression to severe respiratory or renal distress can be rapid, requiring intensive medical intervention.

Pandemic Risk Assessment

Despite the alarming nature of the current cases and the subsequent precautionary measures in Europe, the WHO has ruled out the possibility of the Hanta virus becoming a pandemic.

This assessment is based on the virus’s primary mode of transmission. Unlike viruses that cause global pandemics, such as the coronavirus, Hanta viruses generally do not spread efficiently from person to person. The reliance on animal reservoirs for transmission significantly limits the virus’s ability to sustain the kind of rapid, widespread human-to-human transmission required for a pandemic.

Nevertheless, the BBC has noted that public concern remains high, with some questioning if the current outbreak could mirror the early scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic. This anxiety has driven the rigorous precautionary measures currently being implemented by national health ministries in Europe.

Health officials continue to emphasize the importance of avoiding contact with rodent infestations and ensuring proper ventilation in areas where rodent droppings may be present to prevent further zoonotic transmission.