Venezuela’s Ministry of Health announced that three people have died from hantavirus in the eastern state of Anzoategui.
Meanwhile, the deaths of two healthcare workers in Barinas state are also under investigation. According to the authorities, no link has been established at this stage between these deaths and the confirmed cases in Anzoategui.
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The ministry said the cases are considered isolated and do not currently pose a risk to public health.
The official statement explained that hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents found in rural and agricultural areas. People can become infected by inhaling particles contaminated with rodent urine, feces or saliva, particularly in enclosed spaces.
Health authorities also stressed that there is no scientific evidence in Venezuela of the virus being transmitted from person to person.
Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it had concluded its response to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, in which three people died.
The CDC said the outbreak was caused by the “Andes” variant of hantavirus. To date, it remains the only known type that can be transmitted from person to person through close and prolonged contact.
