Post by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

The outbreak of #Hantavirus on board a cruise ship carrying passengers from more than 20 countries is worrying, although the World Health Organization currently rates the risk to the global population as low.  Initial evidence suggests the virus in the current outbreak comes from the “New World” subgroup of the Hantavirus family and can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a severe and often fatal viral respiratory disease.   New World Hantaviruses focus their attacks on the lungs, where they infect cells that line the tiny blood vessels and cause them to become “leaky”, ultimately flooding the lungs with fluid and causing the victim to struggle for breath.   That’s why Hantaviruses are among CEPI’s Viral Most Wanted. Read the series to find out more: https://lnkd.in/g3x8SbaU