SA confirms first Hantavirus cases. Should you be worried?
South Africa faces its first hantavirus cases. Here's what’s really happening, how serious it is, and what you need to know.
South Africa has confirmed its first cases of hantavirus and naturally, it’s raised a few eyebrows and a lot of questions.
The situation traces back to a cruise ship journey that started in Argentina. During the trip, a passenger fell critically ill and passed away.
His wife, who was also on board, later died after being airlifted to South Africa for urgent medical care. Both cases have since been linked to hantavirus through lab testing.
A third passenger, a German national, also died onboard, although that case has not been medically confirmed in South Africa.
Right now, there is one confirmed patient receiving treatment in a Johannesburg hospital. Health officials say the patient is stable but being kept in strict isolation as a precaution.
ALSO READ: South Africa traces 42 contacts after hantavirus deaths
How dangerous is the virus?
Hantavirus isn’t new globally, but it is new to South Africa and that’s where the concern lies.
According to the Department of Health, the virus can be serious, especially because it often starts off looking like something far less threatening. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, and body aches; very similar to the flu.
In more severe cases, it can affect the lungs and lead to serious complications.
The fact that two people have already died in this situation understandably adds to the concern, but health officials are urging calm while they assess the risk locally.
How contagious is it and how do you get it?
This is where things differ from what many people experienced during COVID-19.
Hantavirus is not typically spread from person to person. Instead, it’s a zoonotic disease. This means it spreads from animals to humans. In this case, rodents are the main carriers.
People can become infected through:
- Bites from infected rodents
- Contact with rodent urine or droppings
- Inhaling contaminated dust particles
So, unlike airborne viruses that spread quickly between people, hantavirus transmission is far more specific and less widespread.
Why was the patient airlifted to hospital?
The woman who later passed away was airlifted to South Africa because her condition became critical while on the cruise.
Airlifting in cases like this is typically done to get patients access to more advanced medical care as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, despite those efforts, she did not survive.
This also triggered a chain reaction of safety protocols locally, including testing, isolation, and contact tracing.
ALSO READ: Three suspected hantavirus cases evacuated from cruise ship: WHO
Are those passengers who were on the same flight as the woman who passed away not vulnerable?
It’s a valid concern and one many people are asking.
Health authorities have already begun contact tracing in collaboration with airlines. Passengers who were on the same flight have been contacted and advised monitoring their health closely.
They’ve also been encouraged to:
- Watch for flu-like symptoms
- Avoid large gatherings temporarily
- Seek medical screening if they feel unwell
So far, only two passengers have reported mild flu-like symptoms, and they are being tested as a precaution.
Listen to the full conversation here:
Is there a cure and any chance of surviving?
Currently, there is no specific cure for hantavirus.
Treatment focuses on supportive care, managing symptoms and helping the body fight the infection. Early detection plays a big role in improving outcomes.
While the recent deaths are concerning, survival is possible, especially with timely medical intervention.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
4. Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
5. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.