Hantavirus and Mental Health: Dr. Benzakour Stresses Importance of Measured Information

The recent news of a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has understandably stirred public concern, echoing the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. Online platforms buzz with questions about the virus's danger and the possibility of another pandemic, reflecting a deep-seated anxiety about infectious diseases.

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Is hantavirus dangerous?; Are we going to experience another pandemic?; What will be your reaction if hantavirus becomes like coronavirus?

In response to these widespread fears, Le Temps consulted with Dr. Lamyae Benzakour, a leading psychiatrist at the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG). Dr. Benzakour, who heads the liaison psychiatry and Traumacare unit, offers crucial insights into the psychological mechanisms behind these anxieties. She emphasizes the importance of providing measured, situation-appropriate information to help manage public reactions.

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the risk of hantavirus for public health is low, and rejects any comparison with the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the World Health Organization has downplayed the public health risk associated with hantavirus and explicitly rejected comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lingering psychological effects of the recent global health crisis cannot be ignored. Dr. Benzakour's expertise highlights how past experiences shape present fears, underscoring the need for clear communication and mental health support during such events. This focus on the psychological impact, even when the immediate medical threat is deemed low, is a perspective particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world.

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measured information, adapted to the situation, is important