China reports no human infections of Andes virus

BEIJING -- No human infections of the hantavirus strain believed to be linked to a deadly outbreak aboard a cruise ship have been reported in China, according to the country's disease control authority on Friday.

The statement from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) came after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of hantavirus infections on a cruise ship that set sail from Argentina, which killed three people as of Thursday.

A WHO official said on Thursday that five of the eight cases reported from the cruise ship have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections and the virus involved is the Andes virus.

The China CDC statement said the Andes virus currently has no known natural host in China and no human infections involving the strain have been reported domestically.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents. More than 20 strains are known to cause disease in humans, with symptoms differing greatly depending on the strain.

Unlike most hantaviruses, which are generally not transmitted between humans, the Andes virus has previously been linked to limited human-to-human transmission.

China CDC noted that reducing contact with rodents remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. Recommended measures include keeping homes and workplaces clean, and avoiding direct contact with rodents, their droppings and carcasses.

WHO sources said that given the incubation period for the Andes virus, it is possible that more cases may be reported, but added that the WHO has assessed the overall public health risk as low.