Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The UAE has confirmed there are currently no recorded cases of hantavirus in the country, while health authorities said the national health surveillance and response system remains fully prepared to address emerging developments. The reassurance came during a meeting of the National Team for the Management of Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Related to Human Epidemics, chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh under the supervision of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and attended by representatives from key government entities and strategic partners. The meeting reviewed the latest global developments related to hantavirus and assessed the UAE’s approved national health surveillance and response systems, precautionary measures and coordination mechanisms with local and international health authorities. According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention, existing preparedness and monitoring protocols are regularly reviewed and updated in line with international best practices and approved health standards. Officials said precautionary monitoring measures continue to be implemented as part of the UAE’s proactive public health preparedness strategy, while healthcare facilities and medical teams remain ready to respond efficiently if required. Authorities also urged the public to rely only on official information sources and avoid circulating inaccurate reports. The warning follows international attention surrounding an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, where the World Health Organization confirmed on Thursday (May 14) that the strain involved was the Andes variant of hantavirus, a rare strain capable of person-to-person transmission. The WHO said 11 cases linked to the vessel have been identified, including eight laboratory-confirmed infections, two probable cases and one inconclusive case currently under observation in the United States. Three deaths have been recorded, representing a fatality rate of approximately 27 percent. Health authorities noted that all known infections were among people who had been on board the ship. The WHO has classified hantavirus as a low-risk pathogen in terms of global epidemic spread due to its generally limited transmission potential. Most hantavirus infections worldwide are linked to direct contact with rodents or environments contaminated by rodent droppings, saliva or urine. The Andes strain, native to South America, is the only known hantavirus strain capable of spreading between humans through close contact, but experts stress such transmission remains uncommon. The WHO said the current global public health situation does not indicate any level of concern that would suggest pandemic risk. ICA/Expat Media
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