Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the World Health Organization.
The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was travelling from Argentina towards Cape Verde with around 150 passengers when several people became ill. WHO said one case of hantavirus has been confirmed in a laboratory, while five more cases are being investigated as suspected infections. Of the six affected people, three have died and one patient is currently receiving intensive care in South Africa.
The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, a polar expedition cruise ship that departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on March 20 and was expected to reach Cape Verde on May 4. Reports say the ship was carrying passengers from different countries, along with crew members and medical staff. Among the affected passengers is a 69-year-old British national who tested positive for hantavirus and is being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg. Two of the people who died were identified as a Dutch couple.
WHO said detailed investigations are still ongoing, including further laboratory testing, epidemiological checks and virus sequencing. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew, while health authorities are working with the ship’s operator and different countries to arrange medical evacuation for symptomatic passengers. Cape Verdean authorities have not yet allowed two symptomatic crew members to disembark, according to reports.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious virus that is usually transmitted to humans through contact with urine, droppings or saliva from infected rodents. The disease can cause severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, can become life-threatening. Human-to-human transmission is considered rare, but health officials are continuing to assess the situation closely because the outbreak happened in a closed cruise ship environment.
WHO officials have said the risk to the wider public remains low, and there is currently no need for panic or travel restrictions. However, authorities are continuing to monitor the remaining passengers and crew while public health teams carry out a full risk assessment. A formal Disease Outbreak News report is also expected to be issued for public information.
If this article helped you, please consider supporting our work. Every small contribution keeps Abijita.com independent and running.
