Having visited the Philippines quite a few times, I have never heard of or come across news of the Hantavirus, although I have seen rats as big as cats. Has anybody heard of this virus and has it ever caused problems to the population? We are being told that it is very unusual for it to transmit from rats to humans. I'm sure by now you will of heard of the Cruise ship at the centre of the present outbreak in which three people have died so far with many also being treated in isolation in a number of countries depending on their nationality. News today that 22 Brits onboard the stricken ship will be flown back to UK from the Canary islands and placed into isolation, guess where, on my doorstep once again, after the same thing happened over the Covid 19, when people were brought here from China! Wirral Arrowe Park Hospital my local hospital will house them in what is usually the Staff accomodation block! Question being....Have they played down this virus like they did Covid? It beggars belief why this part of the UK should be chosen once again. Wirral peninsula is a beatiful part of North West England, even many British dont know about its white sandy beaches, bird sanctuaries and cycle and walk paths Only weeks ago we were told of a intended pipeline from the Peak District to be buried under Wirral with a storage facility to catch Co2 Emissions from Cement and Lime production 121 miles away, to be deposited under the Irish Sea! Over 14000 signatures already have opposed to what could well be an environmental disaster if a leak was to appear! Why Wirral?.......Just another thought JB
It's actually the opposite JB: It is USUAL to cross from rats to humans (via the rats' excretions such as urine, faeces, saliva) but VERY RARE to cross from humans to humans. There are reports that it has done so on the cruise ship, but with such a long incubation period (can be from 1 to 8 weeks), that may be difficult to be sure at this stage. It has two main areas of concern: Pulmonary (lungs) and Renal (kidneys). The former is the most lethal with about 35% of infected people dying. The late Gene Hackman's wife died of a hantavirus infection and her outhouses were found to be rat-infested. A high fatality rate often means the virus spreads very slowly - but should it become commonly contagious from human to human and at a fast rate, then that is the time we should be worried. But not now (famous last words!). Cruise ships are famous for Norovirus infections - I've had it (many of you will have also) and its terrible.
