Cairo: The Ministry of Health announced that there are no confirmed hantavirus cases in Egypt, emphasizing the continuous epidemiological surveillance conducted by its agencies in collaboration with relevant national and international authorities. The ministry reassured the public that the health situation in Egypt remains stable and fully safe.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the statement from the ministry was released following a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) about two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases aboard a cruise ship. This report included three deaths and one critically ill patient as of May 4. The vessel, the Dutch-flagged MV Hondiu, had been sailing from Argentina and Cape Verde in April, carrying 147 individuals, including passengers and crew.
Human hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. Although it is rare, the infection is severe and can be fatal. Limited human-to-human transmission has been documented in previous outbreaks involving the Andes virus, a specific hantavirus species. The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), one of the syndromes caused by hantaviruses, has a mortality rate of up to 38% among patients who develop respiratory symptoms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Ministry of Health stated it is closely monitoring media and social media reports regarding hantavirus. Despite the situation, it reassured citizens that there is no cause for concern at present. The ministry highlighted that Egypt's epidemiological surveillance system operates efficiently around the clock across all entry points, ports, and airports. It also mentioned ongoing coordination with WHO and other international bodies to ensure a rapid response to any developments.
The ministry assured the public that it is handling the matter with transparency and professionalism, prioritizing the safety and health of citizens. It also committed to continuing to monitor the global epidemiological situation and taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect public health.