Hantavirus death rate

Health experts confirmed this week that patients linked to the outbreak were infected with the rare “Andes” strain of hantavirus – a variant known to spread between people in close-contact settings.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to rodents, including contact with urine, feces, saliva, or airborne particles from dried droppings. According to WHO, “HCPS has a high case fatality rate, commonly between 20% and 40%, making it a disease of major public health concern.”

As fears grow that the outbreak could mirror the early stages of Covid-19, WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said the following during a recent press conference, according to ABC News: “This is not the next Covid, but it is a serious infectious disease. If people get infected, and infections are uncommon, they can die. People on the ship who are hearing this are very scared, rightly so.

“The general public might be scared as well. Accurate information is critical. Knowing what your actual exposure might be – most people will never be exposed to this.”