EMA actively monitoring cruise ship Hantavirus outbreak
Risk for the general population currently considered very low by ECDC
NewsHuman
EMA is actively monitoring the ongoing hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, in coordination with other EU bodies.
The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus, the only hantavirus that can be transmitted person-to-person, typically requiring close, prolonged contact. Based on the available evidence so far, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) classifies the risk for the general population in Europe as very low.
Clinical management relies on supportive care and timely access to critical care facilities. There are currently no authorised antiviral treatments or vaccines for hantavirus.
EMA, through its Emergency Task Force (ETF), stands ready to support the development and regulatory evaluation of vaccines and therapeutics for hantaviruses. As part of its preparedness activities, EMA has now mapped developers of medicines, especially antivirals, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines against hantaviruses. The identification of repurposed immunomodulators for treatment and of repurposed antivirals for post-exposure prophylaxis are a priority to reduce morbidity and mortality for currently affected individuals.
EMA cautions against misinformation circulating online that falsely links hantavirus infection to COVID 19 vaccination, as there is no scientific evidence to support such claims.
EMA will continue to exchange information with ECDC, the European Commission, and the European medicines regulatory network over the coming days and weeks and will provide updates as needed.