WHO investigates origin of hantavirus outbreak: what is known about the Andes virus and the risk of contagion in Uruguay

Montevideo – The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively investigating a potential hantavirus outbreak, with initial inquiries focusing on a birdwatching tour that traversed Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. The investigation was prompted by the deaths of a Dutch couple who exhibited symptoms consistent with the virus after traveling through regions known to be habitats for rodents carrying the Andes virus, a strain particularly concerning due to its capacity for human-to-human transmission.

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Antes de embarcar, los dos primeros casos habían viajado por Argentina, Chile y Uruguay en un viaje de observación de aves, que incluyó visitas a lugares donde se encontraba presente la especie de rata conocida por ser portadora de este virus. La OMS está colaborando con las autoridades sanitarias de Argentina para conocer los desplazamientos de la pareja

Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health confirmed it received notification from the National Liaison Center and has initiated its own epidemiological investigation. While the WHO, led by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is collaborating with Argentinian authorities to trace the couple's movements and has dispatched diagnostic kits, Uruguayan officials emphasize a crucial distinction. They assert that the hantavirus variants typically found within Uruguay are associated with native rodents that do not possess the ability to spread between humans.

This distinction is vital. The Andes virus, implicated in the current investigation, is the only known variant capable of person-to-person transmission. This characteristic has heightened concerns, particularly regarding potential spread among passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, where cases have been linked to the outbreak. The WHO's involvement underscores the global health implications, especially given recent discussions about Argentina's potential withdrawal from the international health body, highlighting the need for regional solidarity.

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Dada su experiencia y conocimiento sobre el virus Andes, también hemos organizado el envío de 2.500 kits de diagnóstico desde Argentina a laboratorios de cinco países

From a Uruguayan perspective, the situation requires careful monitoring and clear communication. While acknowledging the international investigation and the potential risks associated with the Andes virus, local health authorities are keen to reassure the public that the immediate risk within the country, based on known local variants, remains low. The focus remains on robust surveillance and differentiating between strains to manage public health responses effectively, ensuring that national health protocols are adapted to the specific epidemiological context.

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En el caso del brote del crucero, la información apunta a una variante típica del sur de Argentina y Chile (virus Andes), para la cual hay evidencias de trasmisión interpersonal. Esto no ocurre con otras variantes ni tampoc