More cases possible in coming weeks, says WHO epidemiologistpublished at 17:17 BST
Image source, WHO
We’ve also been listening to an update from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has been holding regular briefings on the hantavirus outbreak.
Dr Olivier le Polain, a public health physician and epidemiologist at the WHO, says it’s possible further new cases will emerge in coming weeks.
But, he explains, that will likely be due to the long incubation period of the virus rather than ongoing community transmission.
On average, it takes three weeks for those infected to develop symptoms, he says, and in some cases it can be as long as 40 to 45 days.
“That’s why we need to remain vigilant, and make sure at the first signs and symptoms that people are being recognised, isolated and taken care of,” he says.
Because of the long incubation period it will be another six weeks before passengers from the MV Hondius are given the all clear, which le Polain acknowledges will be a “difficult time”.
