PHNOM PENH, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government on Saturday called on people to be vigilant over Hantavirus although no any cases in humans have been detected in the kingdom so far.
Hantaviruses are a cluster of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans, said a Ministry of Health's press release.
"People can contract the virus through contact with infected rodents such as rats, squirrels, skunks, and voles, or their urine, droppings or saliva," the press release said. "Transmission through bites or scratches from infected rodents is possible, but rare."
Symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure and typically include fever, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting, as well as shortness of breath, the press release said.
People with these symptoms or having a history of traveling from an area with an outbreak of Hantavirus should visit the nearest health center or hospital for examination and consultation as soon as possible.
"There is no licensed specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Hantavirus infection. Care is supportive and focuses on close clinical monitoring and management of respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications," it said.
On Friday, Cambodian Ministry of Health's Secretary of State Youk Sambath inspected facilities at the Techo International Airport, advising health officials to step up airport screening and emergency preparedness measures to prevent the importation of Hantavirus.
The press release came after the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of Hantavirus infections on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship that set sail from Argentina. As of May 8, a total of eight cases, including three deaths, have been reported.
The WHO assessed the risk to the global population posed by the virus as low because transmission between humans is rare. ■