Experts in public health are raising concerns, warning that “Hantavirus” is present in Albania and explaining how it may have entered the country

Public health expert Erion Dasho has raised concerns that hantaviruses are present in Albania.

According to Dasho, hantaviruses represent a large family of viruses with different clinical effects in humans.

He explains that the strain known as the “Andes hantavirus” has mainly circulated in South America and is characterized by initial transmission from rodents to humans, but in certain cases it can also be transmitted from human to human.

“This is not something new; it has been observed for more than 10 years in Chile and Argentina, where patients have also infected doctors who did not follow protective measures,” he said.

Dasho stresses that cases in Albania are sporadic and very rare.

According to him, there was an outbreak in the 1980s in the country, while currently most cases are mistaken for common viral infections.

However, he warns that in complicated cases, hantavirus can be aggressive and may have higher mortality compared to other European countries.

According to the expert, one of the main sources of infection is contact with rodents, especially field mice, as well as their droppings and urine.

When these dry and turn into dust, particles can be inhaled through the respiratory system.

He adds that other transmission routes include rodent bites or consumption of food contaminated by them.

Dasho further explains that hantaviruses are a large family with different clinical consequences, and notes that the strain present in the region is associated with higher risks when complications occur, particularly pulmonary ones.

“KORÇA BOOM”