Giuseppe Remuzzi on Hantavirus: High Mortality, Low Contagion, and Lessons from Covid

Giuseppe Remuzzi, director of the Mario Negri Institute, provides critical insights into the emerging hantavirus situation, specifically referencing the HV Hondius variant. He emphasizes that while the virus is less contagious than SARS-CoV-2, it possesses a significantly higher mortality rate, estimated between 30% and 50%. Remuzzi criticizes the missed opportunity to conduct comprehensive testing and genetic analysis during the initial outbreak on a ship, which would have clarified transmission dynamics. Currently, with confirmed cases and deaths reported across multiple continents, he warns that scientific understanding remains limited and subject to change due to potential viral mutations. The primary defenses remain non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask-wearing and hand hygiene, as no vaccine is currently available. However, he expresses optimism regarding future mRNA vaccine development, citing the successful collaboration seen during the pandemic. Remuzzi also highlights the importance of strengthening national health systems, particularly territorial medicine, drawing on lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis to better handle future infectious disease threats.