Ushuaia, 'end of the world' resort, denies causing hantavirus outbreak
Argentina's southern resort town of Ushuaia is pushing back against suggestions it was the source of a recent global hantavirus outbreak. The BBC reports experts have been sent to the city to investigate the origin. Local authorities are worried about reputational damage ahead of the tourist season.
Ushuaia, Argentina's resort at the southern tip of the continent, is publicly rejecting suggestions that it was the source of a global hantavirus outbreak. The BBC reports from the city that municipal officials say the claims have not been proven and that local hospitals have not seen an unusual cluster of cases in recent weeks.
A joint team of experts is examining hospital records, rodent population data and the itineraries of tourist groups that visited Ushuaia in recent weeks. During the same period, the World Health Organization confirmed 10 hantavirus cases linked to several clusters, including the Caribbean-stopover vessel Hondius.
Ushuaia's economy leans heavily on cruise passengers and trekking tours, a fragile mix. As the November-to-March season approaches, local business operators worry that an unproven origin claim could collapse bookings. The investigation is expected to publish its initial findings in the coming days, and Argentina's health ministry says it will share data with the WHO.
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