health
Scientists Baffled by Andes Hantavirus: What They Know and What They Still Can't Explain
The Andes hantavirus outbreak that placed the cruise ship 'Hondius' under international surveillance has refocused the attention of scientists and health authorities on one of the most peculiar and dangerous variants of this virus: its ability to transmit between humans.
TL;DR
- The Andes hantavirus has a rare capacity for human-to-human transmission, a key focus of scientific concern.
- The virus is primarily transmitted by the long-tailed mouse (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) through contact with infected rodent saliva, urine, or feces.
- Environmental factors, such as heavy rainfall associated with El Niño, can increase rodent populations and thus the risk of human exposure.
- Human-to-human transmission is exceptional, requiring very close contact, and is not as easily spread as viruses like COVID-19 or influenza.
- Scientists believe the virus has not recently mutated; its stability is contrasted with more variable viruses like influenza.
- Studying the virus is challenging due to the relatively low number of cases annually, typically only two to four in hospitals like Bariloche.
- The disease can progress rapidly from flu-like symptoms to critical respiratory distress.
- Current research is examining rodents in Tierra del Fuego to determine if they are the same species known to carry the virus or a different subspecies.