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🇮🇹 Italy /Health & Science

Hantavirus alert, the EU activates the civil protection mechanism

From ANSA · (3h ago) Italian Mixed tone

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The European Union has activated its civil protection mechanism in response to an hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
  • Three deaths and eight infections have been reported among passengers, with health authorities coordinating repatriation, quarantine, and risk communication.
  • The WHO assesses the overall risk to the general population as low but emphasizes the need for careful management and contact tracing.

The European Commission has activated its civil protection mechanism following an hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has resulted in three confirmed deaths and eight infections among passengers. Health and civil protection authorities from EU member states convened to coordinate responses, including repatriation, quarantine guidelines, and risk communication strategies.

Today the Commission hosted a meeting with the participation of the health and civil protection authorities of the Member States to provide the latest updates on the cases of hantavirus on board the Hondius and to ensure good coordination on issues such as repatriation, quarantine guidelines and risk communication.

— EU spokespersonDescribing the Commission's coordination efforts regarding the hantavirus outbreak.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that a widespread epidemic or pandemic is not anticipated, it is closely monitoring the situation. The WHO confirmed five cases and noted that further infections are possible, given the virus's incubation period of up to six weeks. Experts are prioritizing contact tracing and monitoring passengers who disembarked the ship in various locations, including St. Helena and potentially other continents.

The Commission informed that the civil protection mechanism has been activated by Spain.

— EU spokespersonConfirming the activation of the EU's civil protection mechanism.

ANSA, Italy's national news agency, reports this development with a focus on the coordinated international response and the public health implications. The activation of the EU's civil protection mechanism highlights the interconnectedness of global health security. The agency notes the concern surrounding potential transmissions, particularly after a flight attendant who had contact with a deceased passenger tested positive. The situation evokes memories of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the vigilance required in managing emerging infectious disease threats, even when the immediate risk to the broader population is deemed low.

It's not like Covid. We are not expecting a major epidemic, nor a pandemic.

— World Health Organization (WHO)Assessing the potential scale of the hantavirus outbreak.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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