In this webinar session we:
• provided a rapid update on the current epidemiological situation of the Hantavirus outbreak
• provided an overview of scientific knowledge on Hantaviruses, and Orthohantavirus andesense: reservoirs, transmission, clinical forms, diagnostic testing and genetic relatedness of sequenced viruses
• described the rational and process for the development of the WHO interim guidance on laboratory testing of Andes virus (Orthohantavirus andesense) , and its key recommendations.
We welcomed:
Dr Nicole Tischler, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Universidad San Sebastián, Chile
Dr Fernando Torres Perez, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Dr Gustavo Palacios, Icahn School of Medicine, the USA
Dr Lorenzo Subissi, WHO headquarters
Additional panelists, TBC
The webinar was delivered in English with live interpretation in Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish.
Launched in May 2020, this knowledge sharing platform aims to enhance WHO guidance dissemination and best practice sharing among public health laboratories globally. WHO is grateful to the technical and financial partners who have helped to support and sustain this webinar series.