The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have advised health authorities and the public in Africa to stay vigilant and enhance Hantavirus surveillance measures, despite the current low risk of outbreak. Yap Boum II, from Africa CDC, emphasized the importance of strengthening surveillance and readiness for emergencies, even though no Hantavirus cases have been reported on the continent.
Efforts to prevent Hantavirus should begin with simple daily practices and the early identification of symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, or breathing difficulties. The recent identification of Hantavirus infections on an international cruise ship underscores the need for continued vigilance, early detection, and effective risk communication, experts noted.
Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO Africa regional office’s director of emergency preparedness and response, highlighted the collective responsibility to ensure countries are prepared without causing panic. Preparedness involves maintaining alert surveillance and response systems, well-equipped technical teams, and timely, proportionate response measures guided by risk assessment.
Experts stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness, secure food storage, sealing entry points to prevent rodent access, and using protective gear and disinfectants when handling rodent waste. A briefing on Hantavirus epidemiology, transmission, clinical presentation, and prevention strategies was provided to African health authorities, professionals, outbreak responders, surveillance teams, and stakeholders, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
