WHO Issues Alert on Hantavirus As Africa and Europe Report Cases of Deadly Virus With No Cure
- The World Health Organisation has issued a health alert in the wake of the emergence of hantavirus
- According to the WHO, five cases have been confirmed as hantavirus, with three resulting in death so far
- The virus, which is transmitted through rodents, was detected on a cruise ship travelling to Cape Verde
Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a new health alert following the emergence of hantavirus.
In a release on May 6, the WHO said that a newly detected strain of hantavirus was identified after some passengers on a cruise ship became seriously ill with respiratory problems.
The ship was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
Source: Twitter
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, addressing the media on Thursday, May 7, said 12 countries whose nationals were aboard the ship have been notified, as eight cases, including three deaths, have been confirmed.
“WHO has also informed 12 countries whose nationals disembarked in Saint Helena. Those 12 countries are Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.”
“So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus, and the other three are suspected.”
WHO lists hantavirus symptoms, acknowledges support
According to WHO, symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.
Dr Ghebreyesus also expressed appreciation to certain countries for their partnership and support in the wake of this issue.
He also spoke about the WHO’s support in playing a crucial role in providing care and preventing the spread of the virus.
“I would also like to thank the Governments of Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom for their close partnership and support.
“I also thank the many partners who have provided expertise, including the NICD in South Africa, the Institut Pasteur Dakar in Senegal, and the HUG here in Switzerland.
“WHO will continue to work with all relevant governments and partners to provide care for those who are affected, protect the safety and dignity of passengers, and prevent onward spread of the virus.”
According to South African health authorities, as reported by Fox Carolina, some exposed passengers were brought there, where one person subsequently died.
Reactions to WHO alert about hantavirus
Social media users, reacting to the disclosure by the World Health Organisation on hantavirus, have shared their views on the matter.
@nekapasamajwadi asked:
"Did they get hantavirus through rodent saliva or urine contamination in food?"
@dufferjones said:
"No free-thinking, educated individual will believe one ounce of what the WHO, global elites or any elected official tells them about another possible plandemic. It worked once, and that's the only time it'll ever work in generations to come."
@BOBO_b7 wrote:
"This organisation should be banned permanently. Everything related to the WHO is a fraud; they're committing various crimes against humanity by pretending to save humanity. It's just a business for the nation's founders."
Source: UGC
GHS raises alert over possible meningitis outbreak
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service had issued a joint public health alert in January 2026 a possible meningitis outbreak.
The health advisory warned that meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that causes inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
