While the WHO says the risk is low, Egypt steps up surveillance of the hantavirus.

Egypt has no confirmed cases of the hantavirus, according to Ministry of Health and Population Spokesperson Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar.

Still, epidemiological surveillance and close monitoring are taking place in coordination with all relevant international bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Abdel-Ghaffar told Al-Ahram Weekly. He said the ministry is monitoring the situation around the clock while raising surveillance levels at all ports of entry.

Until Tuesday the total number of cases stood at 8-9, including three who died while aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. The WHO classified the public risk as low, but confirmed cases of the virus were detected during the vessel’s voyage from Argentina to the Canary Islands.

On 2 May the WHO was notified of a group of passengers suffering from acute respiratory illnesses aboard the cruise ship. At the time, according to the ship’s operator, there were 147 passengers and crew members on board, while 34 passengers and crew members had previously disembarked.

Abdel-Ghaffar noted that the hantavirus has been scientifically recognised for more than 45 years, having first been isolated in 1978. He stressed that the recent WHO updates concern only limited cases and do not amount to the declaration of an emergency or a pandemic.

The WHO has an early warning system to detect any unusual health-related developments, even if they are limited, with the aim of raising the preparedness levels of countries.

According to Abdel-Ghaffar, the hantavirus is primarily transmitted to humans from rodents and not easily between people. Infection usually occurs when someone inhales dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, and in rare cases through rodent bites. Person‑to‑person transmission has only been documented for the Andes virus strain in South America and even then it remains uncommon. This is why the hantavirus is not considered capable of causing a pandemic like the coronavirus.

Khairiya Ebeid, a pulmonologist, told the Weekly that the virus’ initial symptoms resemble those of influenza, such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. In some cases, symptoms may develop into severe shortness of breath, or lung or kidney failure. Symptoms usually appear within two to four weeks of exposure to the virus.

“As we approach the hajj [poilgrimage] season, the risk rises that such a respiratory virus could enter the country. With people from all over the world gathering in one place, the possibility of transmission is high,” Ebeid said.

Should the virus reach Egypt, people must wear high- efficiency face masks such as the N95, keep homes and storage areas clean, avoid leaving food uncovered, ensure good ventilation to avoid crowded places, and wash hands regularly, according to Ebeid.

For the time being, the WHO has issued guidelines in the event of viral outbreaks, including raising the level of preparedness to the maximum at ports and airports.

Abdel-Ghaffar confirmed that most strains of the virus do not spread from person to person with the exception of a rare strain known as Andes where very limited cases of transmission have been recorded among people who had direct and prolonged contact.

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for the hantavirus, Ebeid said, noting that treatment relies on supportive care, including oxygen therapy and ventilation.

According to a WHO statement, some groups face a higher risk of contracting the virus, particularly those working in environments close to fields, forests, or areas where rodents are widespread, as well as cleaners and pest and rodent control workers due to their direct contact with contaminated areas.

“People cleaning homes or storage areas that have been closed for long periods may face greater risk of infection, as accumulated rodent droppings can become airborne during cleaning. Other vulnerable groups include hikers, campers, and hunters, particularly when staying in open or unequipped areas where infected rodents may be present. Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk due to their greater likelihood of developing serious complications,” the WHO statement said.

The WHO also stressed that the current situation does not call for travel restrictions or exceptional measures at the international level.

The WHO estimates that between 10,000 and 100,000 people are infected annually worldwide, and the severity of the disease varies depending on the strain. The Andes strain of hantavirus, found largely in Argentina and Chile and the strain found aboard the ship, is the only known strain that can spread between humans through prolonged close contact.