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Medical evacuation of people suspected to have been infected with hantavirus, Cabo Verde, 6 May 2026.
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Emergency scientific consultation on Andes Virus medical countermeasures (MCM) R&D

15 May 2026 13:00 – 16:00 CET

A virtual Emergency scientific consultation on Andes Virus medical countermeasures (MCM) R&D will be jointly convened by the WHO Research & Development Blueprint for Epidemics team and the Bunyavirus Collaborative Open Research Consortium (CORC) led by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

This rapid consultation has been organized in response to the evolving Andes virus situation and aims to bring together leading experts, researchers, clinicians, public health authorities, funders, and partners to review the latest evidence and identify immediate priorities for coordinated research and MCM development.

The consultation will include discussions on:

  • current epidemiological developments and transmission dynamics
  • historical and recent evidence on human-to-human transmission
  • clinical management and natural history studies
  • diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine MCM landscapes.

Recording of the session is available here.

Presentations

Epi update and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) response work by O. LePolain and V. Houssiere (WHO)

Genomics and transmission by G. Palacios, Icahn School of Medicine

Natural history of Andes Virus infection in a shipboard outbreak (NAVIS) by R. Paredes, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol

Risk communication and factors affecting adherence to public health and social measures by C. Symons and R. Amlot (UKHSA)

Overview of diagnostic approaches by I. Bashir (WHO)

Overview of therapeutic approaches by M. Cavaleri (EMA)

Overview of vaccine approaches by W. Dowling (CEPI)