Reference
Glossary
28 terms defined with sourced statistics (WHO, ECDC, CDC), FAQ and reference resources.
A
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Aerosol
Fine particles suspended in the air, capable of carrying infectious agents. Distinct from droplets by size (typically < 5 µm) and their ability to remain airborne for extended periods.
Transmission -
Andes virus
Hantavirus strain present in South America (Argentina, Chile). The only hantavirus with documented human-to-human transmission. Leading cause of severe pulmonary syndrome.
Virology
C
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Case fatality rate
Proportion of deaths among people diagnosed with a disease. For hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: ~36% on average, up to 40% for Andes virus.
Epidemiology -
CDC
US federal public health agency based in Atlanta. Global reference on hantavirus diseases since the identification of Sin Nombre virus in 1993.
Institutions -
Contact case
A person exposed to a confirmed case under conditions likely to enable transmission. Subject to medical surveillance and, depending on risk, appropriate isolation.
Epidemiology -
Contact tracing
Public health process of identifying, informing and following up people who have been in contact with a confirmed case of an infectious disease, to break transmission chains.
Public health
E
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ECDC
European Union agency based in Stockholm, tasked with identifying, assessing and communicating health threats in Europe. Coordinates the European response to the MV Hondius episode.
Institutions -
ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A life-support technique that oxygenates blood outside the body when the lungs (or the heart) can no longer do the job.
Clinical -
Expedition cruise
Small-capacity cruise format (~100 to 200 passengers) for remote or polar destinations (Antarctica, Arctic, South Atlantic). The format the MV Hondius belongs to.
Context
F
G
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Genetic sequencing
Determining the exact nucleotide order of a viral genome. Used to identify variants, retrace transmission chains and compare strains.
Diagnostic -
GPMB
Independent body of experts created by the WHO and the World Bank in 2018. Assesses every year the world's pandemic preparedness and publishes its findings without political filter.
Institutions
H
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Hantavirus
Genus of segmented RNA viruses transmitted by wild rodents. In humans causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (Americas) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (Eurasia).
Virology -
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Severe clinical form of hantavirus infection, mainly caused by American strains (Andes virus, Sin Nombre). Case fatality rate of 30 to 40 percent.
Clinical -
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
Clinical form of Eurasian hantavirus diseases, primarily affecting the kidneys. Global incidence is 60,000 to 150,000 cases per year, the vast majority in China.
Clinical -
Human-to-human transmission
Passage of an infectious agent from one human to another. For hantaviruses, only documented with Andes virus; requires close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic person.
Epidemiology
I
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Incubation period
Interval between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of the first symptoms. For Andes virus: 7 to 42 days, on average 18 to 24 days.
Epidemiology -
Infodemic
An overabundance of information, accurate or false, accompanying a health crisis. A concept popularised by the WHO that hampers public access to reliable sources.
Public health
M
P
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PCR
Polymerase chain reaction. Molecular method for detecting viral DNA or RNA. For hantaviruses: sensitivity ~92%, specificity 100%, result in a few hours.
Diagnostic -
Personal protective equipment
Equipment worn to limit exposure to an infectious agent. Includes filtering masks (FFP2/N95), gloves, gowns and goggles. FFP2 filters at least 94% of particles under EN 149.
Protection -
PREP Act
US federal law (2005) granting liability immunity for the development and deployment of medical countermeasures during a declared public health emergency.
Context
R
S
V
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Vaccine
A preparation that trains the immune system to recognise a pathogen. Against Andes hantavirus, no vaccine is licensed to date.
Protection -
Viral variant
A strain of a virus carrying one or more mutations in its genome compared with reference strains. Most are neutral; some change transmissibility, virulence or treatment resistance.
Virology