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Infection generally occurs through the inhalation of dust and aerosols contaminated by the excretions of infected rodents.
Infection generally occurs through the inhalation of dust and aerosols contaminated by the excretions of infected rodents. © FRANCE 24

From the show


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1 min

Three people have died and three others are ill ⁠after a Netherlands-based cruise ship in the Atlantic was hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus. The virus is transmitted to humans through infected wild rodents, such as mice or rats, which shed the virus in their saliva, urine and droppings. In rare cases, it can also spread from human to human. FRANCE 24’s Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.