Argentina is under global scrutiny after three people died from hantavirus on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina bound for Cape Verde. The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating whether transmission occurred before boarding, ruling out an epidemic.
Historical Context of Hantavirus in Argentina
Thirty years ago, an outbreak in rural Patagonia documented the first person-to-person transmission of hantavirus, previously known only to spread through rodent contact. Nearly a decade ago, another Patagonian outbreak provided detailed evidence of inter-human transmission when an infected rural worker attended a birthday party, resulting in 11 deaths.
Current Situation and Expert Opinions
Dr Roberto Debbag, an infectious disease specialist, noted that Argentina has dealt with hantavirus for decades, making reporting mandatory after 1996 cases. Since July last year, Argentina recorded 101 cases with 32 deaths, slightly above previous seasons but within historical averages. Dr Raúl González Ittig, a biologist, linked the increase to rodent behavior influenced by climate change, such as drought followed by heavy rainfall.
The Andes strain, found mainly in Argentina and Chile, is the only strain with documented human-to-human spread. However, the WHO states the risk to the general population is "absolutely low" as person-to-person transmission is not easy.
Investigations and Political Implications
Argentina's health ministry plans to capture rodents along the route taken by the Dutch couple who first developed symptoms, who traveled extensively before boarding. The ministry emphasizes that infection is not confirmed to have occurred in Argentina, noting that Tierra del Fuego has had no hantavirus cases in 30 years.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Argentina to reconsider its decision to leave the WHO, warning that viruses do not respect politics. Dr Ittig criticized President Javier Milei's spending cuts in science and healthcare, which could affect hantavirus control efforts.
Despite the rise, Argentina remains within historical averages, far below countries like China and South Korea. However, the fatality rate in the Americas can reach 50%, compared to 15% in Asia and Europe.
