Belarus Reports 50 Cases of Hantavirus per Year, Warns of HFRS Symptoms
Cases of hantavirus infection in Belarus remain stable but require medical vigilance. According to the latest data, the country records an average of 50 people hospitalised each year due to Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), or haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, caused by the hanta virus.
This data was released by the medical service of the Department of Finance and Logistics at the Gomel Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus on Wednesday (13/5/2026). The ministry stated that hantavirus infections in the Republic of Belarus are generally detected as isolated cases and are not widespread among the general public.
Most hantavirus infections in the region are known not to be transmitted between humans. The main source of infection comes from rodents. Humans can be infected through direct contact or, in the most severe cases, by inhaling dust contaminated with rodent droppings containing the virus.
The report from Belarus comes amid global attention on a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius. The ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, reported three deaths. On Tuesday (12/5), the WHO confirmed 11 cases on the ship, nine of which were identified as the Andes virus.
Medical specialists assess that the risk of further spread of infection outside the cruise ship environment is very low. This is because all passengers have been evacuated since arriving off the coast of the Canary Islands on May 9 and are now under strict isolation.
Some important points regarding current handling include:
Although cases in Belarus are rare and isolated, health authorities still urge the public to maintain environmental hygiene to avoid interaction with rodents, which are the main vectors of this virus. (Sputnik/Ant/H-3)
The WHO reported no new deaths from the hantavirus outbreak related to the cruise ship. See updates on the Andes virus case and global health risks here.
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