Alberto Valdes / EPA
Passenger transportation on the MV Hondius cruise ship
The recent (and famous) strains are very different from the species identified decades ago. How to respond to these situations?
The recent ones outbreaks of ebola e hantavirus rekindled the debate scientist about a huge diversity of viral strains existing in nature and on risks associated with transmission between species.
Researchers and public health officials warn that many of these viruses remain little known, despite their potential to cause serious epidemics.
In the case of , the scientists – intrigued, as summarized by – they are following with concern a new variant associated with the virus Bundibugyo, identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This lineage distinguishes itself of the previous ones because it presents unprecedented genetic characteristics, suggesting a new zoonotic leap — that is, a recent transmission from animals to humans.
Scientists suspect that bats Frugivores may be at the origin of the contagion chain, although there is still no definitive confirmation.
The outbreak has already caused hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths, in a region marked by political instability, logistical difficulties and distrust of health authorities.
Unlike the variant Zaire of the Ebola virus, for which there are experimental vaccines and more advanced treatments, this new strain remains without a widely available specific medical response.
O hantavirus also returned to the spotlight after being recorded on board the now famous cruise ship Hondius.
The episode raised fears due to the possibility of human-to-human transmissionsomething rare among hantaviruses, but documented in the Andes variant, predominant in South America.
The World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain surveillance tightened on the identified cases.
Hantaviruses are typically transmitted through contact with droppings, urine or saliva from infected rodents.
However, some variants, such as Andes, appear to have limited capacity for interpersonal transmission.
Recent studies also indicate that the virus may remain in the body for long periods, including in the semen male, raising new questions about ways of propagation.
The increasing frequency of these outbreaks reflects not only the natural evolution of viruses, but also factors such as climate change, deforestation, urbanization and global mobility.
