CARPHA seeks to reassure the region about hantavirus

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday sought to reassure people in the Caribbean region that there is no need for panic in light of the recent outbreak of the hantavirus that has claimed several lives.

CARPHA executive director, Dr Lisa Indar, told a news conference that the rodents that carry the human to human Adean strain of the hantavirus, are not present in the Caribbean.

Hantavirus is a serious zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents, particularly mice and rats. Infection may occur when contaminated particles from rodent nesting materials become airborne and are subsequently inhaled by humans.

The Andes strain of this virus, which is present in South America, is of particular concern because, unlike most hantavirus strains, it has demonstrated the potential for person-to-person transmission through prolonged and very close contact with symptomatic individuals.

“It is found primarily in parts of South America, including Argentina. This rare human-to-human transmission usually requires intimate or prolonged exposure while the incubation period before symptoms appear is usually one to six weeks. There is no current antiviral treatment or vaccine. Care is supportive, including oxygen therapy and intensive monitoring. So CARPHA advises our member states and the public to remain vigilant but not alarmed,” Dr Indar said.

The St Kitts and Nevis government says one of its nationals was among the passengers aboard the stricken vessel, MV Hondius, but that “there are currently no reported or suspected cases of hantavirus in St Kitts and Nevis”.

Dr Indar noted that many having been asking if the hantavirus could cause another pandemic.

“Hantavirus is not COVID-19 because it spreads very differently. COVID-19 spread globally because it's transmitted easily between people including those with mild or no symptoms. In contrast, Hantavirus is rodent-borne and human-to-human spread is uncommon and requires close intimate contact.

“This fundamental difference means that Hantavirus does not have the same potential to cause a global pandemic,” said Dr Indar, adding that a meeting of chief medical officers in the region is scheduled for Monday.

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