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 (or Steve McGloughlin, Intensive Care Physician, Alfred Health Melbourne Australia), Case Management Expert and Mahmood Hamouda, Health Systems Officer, Safe and Scalable Care unit, Humanitarian and Disaster Management department, WHO headquarters
Natural history of the disease: Gregory Merz, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of New Mexico, USA
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, WHO headquarters
IPC in the ship/disembarking: Ana Paula Coutinho Rehse, Technical Officer, Infection Prevention and Control, WHO European Region
Treatment of a stable patient - Switzerland: Walter Zingg, Senior Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich
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
Frank van de Veerdonk, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Netherlands
Closing and next EPI-WIN: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO