No cases of hantavirus have been registered in Uzbekistan, and the epidemiological situation remains stable, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Nurmat Atabekov reported.
He stated that the World Health Organization does not consider hantavirus an infection capable of causing a global pandemic.
"This infection does not spread rapidly like the coronavirus, and experts believe it will not lead to a global pandemic," Atabekov noted.
He explained that while more than 20 species of hantavirus exist, only a few can cause illness in humans. Certain strains of the virus are most commonly found in Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The infection is recorded significantly less frequently in Asia and Europe.
"Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily found among rodents, and it is rarely transmitted to humans. The infection is usually passed to people through objects, dust, or food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of these animals. In some cases, prolonged stays in a contaminated environment or close, regular contact with rodents also increases the risk of infection," the specialist reported.
Potential symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and muscle or abdominal pain. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory complications.
Unfortunately, no specific vaccine against hantavirus has been developed globally. There is also no dedicated treatment protocol. Therapy is primarily symptomatic, meaning medical care is tailored to the specific symptoms a patient exhibits," reported Nurmat Atabekov.
The committee recommends strict adherence to preventive measures. These include practicing good personal hygiene, storing food safely, regularly airing out rooms, and exercising extreme caution when cleaning areas that might contain signs of rodent activity.
The agency also reminded the public that 23 permanent sanitary-epidemiological checkpoints operate along Uzbekistan's borders to prevent the importation of dangerous infections from abroad.
An outbreak of hantavirus infection was recently reported aboard the cruise ship Hondius, which was traveling across the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina to Cape Verde.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 147 passengers and crew members on board. The disease began spreading between April 6 and April 28.
As of May 11, the WHO had registered nine suspected cases of hantavirus, with three passengers aboard the cruise liner having passed away.
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