EU Cooperation on Hantavirus Deemed 'Very Strong' Amidst Outbreak
ECDC chief praises European teamwork as France calls for enhanced coordination and EU ambassadors discuss joint strategy.
Auf einen Blick
- Europe's disease agency chief lauded "very strong" EU cooperation on hantavirus, following a call from France for closer coordination.
- 11 cases and 3 deaths have been confirmed from the MV Hondius outbreak.
KI-generierte Zusammenfassung
Warum es wichtig ist
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause hantavirus fever with renal syndrome or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings and urine.
Europe's disease agency chief said EU cooperation on hantavirus had been “very, very strong" after the French Prime Minister called on ministers to work closer together in their response.
“There were meetings every day” between countries and technical experts since the outbreak was reported May 2, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, told reporters today. It was an example of “good European teamwork,” she added.
There have been 11 confirmed cases and three deaths from the current outbreak from the cruise ship MV Hondius so far.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked ministers on Tuesday to “immediately strengthen cooperation” and push for “closer coordination” of EU health protocols. Today, meanwhile, EU ambassadors discussed a joint strategy on hantavirus for the first time.
“As a matter of precaution, we have decided to make use of the integrated political crisis response meetings (IPCR), in order to monitor the situation and facilitate information sharing among member states,” an official from Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, said.
These meetings enable rapid and coordinated decision-making at EU political level for major events.
Rendi-Wagner said the ECDC was taking a “no regrets” approach to hantavirus and that the agency's approach was informed by the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic.
ECDC has also taken a more cautious line than its U.S. colleagues on potential transmission by asymptomatic patients. EU epidemiologist Gianfranco Spiteri warned there "might be some risk" since the virus can be detected in the blood before symptoms appear.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s acting director, Jay Bhattacharya, said May 7 that “hantavirus is not spread by people without symptoms.” In an alert the next day, the CDC said transmission “typically required” close contact with a symptomatic person.
This article has been updated with a comment from a Cyprus official on the decision on IPCR meetings.
Worauf zu achten ist
KI-Ausblick — Möglichkeiten, keine Fakten
Further meetings and information sharing sessions will occur among EU member states regarding hantavirus.
Sehr wahrscheinlich · Innerhalb von Tagen
The ECDC may issue updated guidance on hantavirus transmission, potentially acknowledging a risk from asymptomatic patients.
Wahrscheinlich · Innerhalb von Wochen
The number of confirmed hantavirus cases and deaths may increase as the outbreak is monitored.
Möglich · Innerhalb von Tagen
Offene Fragen
- What specific measures are being implemented under the strengthened EU health protocols?
- What is the current status of the outbreak on the MV Hondius?
- Will there be further updates on the differing views between ECDC and CDC regarding asymptomatic transmission?
