Health Ministry officials in Tucuman province have issued a health alert following the confirmation of two deaths from hantavirus in the province in northwest Argentina, local media reports (computer translated).
Officials said that hantavirus, which is transmitted by voles, is circulating in Burruyacu department in the eastern part of the province, where the two people died.
According to health officials, these are the first indigenous cases of hantavirus in Tucuman, which is not considered endemic for the disease.
Authorities said, “The Epidemiological Alert was issued upon the notification of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases in the department to alert health professionals to help in diagnosis and increase prevention of additional infections, protection and surveillance. The patients have no history of travel to other provinces.”
Hantavirus is spread by inhaling particles from feces, urine and saliva of infected rodents.
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