Involved in the response is Paolo Meo, director of the Cesmet – Artemisia Lab Traveler’s Clinic in Rome. “Hantavirus is a serious illness that has been recognized in tropical medicine for a long time. Transmission mainly occurs through contact with wild rodents or contaminated environments, particularly in rural areas of South America,” Meo explains.
Initial reports indicate that many passengers visited regions of Patagonia and the Andes prior to boarding. Experts are now focusing on the potential presence of the Andean strain, one of the few linked to possible human-to-human transmission.
The WHO has initiated an epidemiological investigation while the ship continues its journey to the Canary Islands, where health safety protocols will be implemented. “Caution is necessary, but there is no reason for alarm. Preventive measures and accurate health information remain essential, especially for those traveling in endemic areas,” concludes Meo.
