Hantavirus: EU clarifies contagion risk is very low, though more cases can’t be ruled out

Brussels – The risk to the European population of a hantavirus outbreak is “very low,” said the European Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, speaking in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg during the debate on the new threat of a Hantavirus epidemic. Tzitzikostas clarified: “There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment against Hantavirus. For this reason, we are exploring various options to protect citizens from this priority threat. We are making progress on potential vaccines against Hantaviruses. Furthermore, we are collaborating with the EMA – the European Medicines Agency – and are consulting with Member States on access to treatment and stockpiling requirements.” 

It had already been announced ten days ago by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), reiterated by the European Commission’s health spokesperson, Eva Hrncirova, during the daily press briefing, and repeated once again by Commissioner Tzitzikostas: for now, there does not appear to be any real danger linked to the spread of the Hantavirus, the source of a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses that emerged on board the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which carried passengers from twenty‑three countries.

COVID-19 has taught us a great deal about managing health emergencies: in this context, Commissioner Tzitzikostas points out that “we have learnt crucial lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic;” among the various lessons, “vigilance remains a priority. Given the virus’s relatively long incubation period, further cases may be detected in the coming weeks. For this reason, we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”

 The European Commission has “acted very swiftly, in close cooperation with civil protection and health services. The ECDC has provided guidance on contact tracing and measures to manage repatriated individuals. In addition, a European reference laboratory for emerging viral pathogens transmitted by rodents has provided diagnostic information to national laboratories. Finally, following a request for assistance from Spain, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated.” The EU will also mobilise Horizon Europe funds to tackle the threat of Hantavirus.