WHO Health Emergencies EPI-WIN webinar: Hantavirus in Focus II: hantavirus natural history, infection control and clinical management of patients in hospital

22 May 2026 13:00 – 14:00 CET
Virtual meeting
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Friday, 22 May 2026, 13:00–14:00 (CEST)

Background

Recent hantavirus cases associated with an international maritime setting have highlighted the complex and global nature of outbreak detection, clinical management, and public health response. The event has required coordination across multiple countries and sectors, including case management, infection prevention and control, contact follow-up, and repatriation efforts. In response, WHO has been working with Member States and technical experts to pool evidence, operational experiences, and emerging knowledge to better understand the epidemiology and clinical implications of the outbreak. This webinar will provide updates on the natural history of the disease, clinical management approaches, and response challenges. 

Objectives 

  • To share information on natural history of the virus.
  • To provide updates on the clinical care and management of cases, including supportive care approaches and potential therapeutics.
  • To provide information on infection prevention and control measures that should be taken and current WHO guidance. 

Agenda and Speakers

Introduction: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO 

Welcome remarks: Tania Kelly, Case Management Expert, Safe and Scalable Care unit, Humanitarian and Disaster Management department, WHO headquarters

Natural history of the disease: Gregory Mertz, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of New Mexico, USA 

Hantavirus in South America: Maria Ines Staneloni, Infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiology specialist based, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina

IPC in Health Care Setting: Angel Rodriguez, Advisor, Clinical Management of Infectious Hazards, Infectious Hazard Management, PAHO/WHO AMRO

Treatment of a stable patient - Switzerland: Walter Zingg, Senior Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich

Biology – Why does ANDV infection trigger such severe host dysregulation & what are the key mechanisms driving vascular leakage and organ dysfunction – (emerging analysis): Frank van de Veerdonk, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Netherlands

Presentation and treatment of a critical care patient – South Africa: Evan Shoul , Infectious Diseases Physician, Pulmonologist, Netcare Milpark Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Interactive Q&A with speakers: Tania Kelly (moderator)

All speakers above and 

Maria (Gaby) Frank, Director, Johns Hopkins Special Pathogens Center, USA

Eduardo Kattan, Assistant Professor, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Vivian Leung, Physician and epidemiologist working with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

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