Ministry of Health: Risk of Importing Hantavirus to Kyrgyzstan is Extremely Low

**The Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic commented on the information from international media about the outbreak of hantavirus infection on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was traveling the route Ushuaia (Argentina) — Cape Verde islands.**

According to the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance, the epidemiological situation regarding infectious diseases in the country remains stable, with monitoring continuing on a daily basis. According to experts, the risk of importing hantavirus infection to Kyrgyzstan is extremely low, and there is no threat to the population and tourists.

The department emphasized that there is no reason for panic: the risk of infection for most people remains minimal, and adherence to simple preventive measures effectively reduces the likelihood of infection. At the same time, the Ministry of Health recommends exercising caution during trips to nature and contact with places where rodents may live.

**What is hantavirus**

Hantavirus is a group of viruses that primarily circulate among rodents and can be transmitted to humans under certain conditions. The main carriers are mice, voles, rats, and other small mammals.

It is noted that the animals themselves may not show signs of illness but can be carriers of the virus and excrete it into the environment through urine, saliva, and excrement.

The virus got its name from the Hantan River in South Korea, where an infected rodent was first discovered in the 1970s.

**Human infection is possible:**

-through inhalation of dust contaminated with excretions from infected rodents;

-through contact of damaged skin or mucous membranes with rodent excretions;

-through consumption of contaminated food or water;

-rarely — through bites from rodents.

For most hantaviruses, transmission from person to person is not typical. An exception is certain South American strains, such as the Andes virus.

**Symptoms of the disease**

At the initial stages, the disease may resemble the flu: fever, fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain. Hantavirus can also progress rapidly. In severe cases, acute respiratory failure and kidney damage may develop.

The Ministry of Health noted that if high fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, cough, difficulty breathing occur, especially after contact with rodents or trips to risk areas, it is necessary to see a doctor, and in case of breathing problems — immediately call emergency services.

According to the World Health Organization, announced on May 8 at a briefing in Geneva, the risk of hantavirus spreading among the general public remains extremely low. WHO also emphasized that the situation has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is specified that eight cases of infection have been registered, including five laboratory-confirmed and three suspected. Even sharing a cabin, according to a WHO representative, did not always lead to transmission of the infection, which once again demonstrates its extremely limited ability to spread from person to person.

WHO continues to coordinate response measures to the outbreak on the cruise ship anchored off the coast of Cape Verde.

**How to protect yourself?**

To date, there is no specific vaccine against hantavirus. The main preventive measure is to prevent contact with rodents and their excretions.

**It is recommended:**

— avoid contact with wild rodents;

— ventilate enclosed spaces before cleaning;

— use gloves and masks when cleaning potentially contaminated areas;

— do not overnight in abandoned sheds, forest cabins, hay or straw stacks without prior cleaning;

— do not touch live or dead rodents with bare hands;

— drink water only from verified sources and boil it if necessary;

— store food in airtight containers, out of reach of rodents.

**Recommendations for tourists**

Before trips, it is recommended: to check the epidemiological situation in the destination country in advance, to have basic protective equipment (antiseptics, medical masks or respirators, gloves).