WHO confirms five hantavirus cases on cruise ship; more expected due to long incubation period
- The World Health Organization confirmed five cases and three suspected cases of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship, with three deaths reported so far.
- The hantavirus strain identified is the Andes virus, known for limited human-to-human transmission through close and prolonged contact.
- The MV Hondius departed Argentina on April 1 and made several stops in the South Atlantic, including Cape Verde and Saint Helena, while public health risk is assessed as low by the WHO.
- Authorities are tracing passengers who disembarked, with multiple countries alerted, and WHO is providing support such as diagnostic kits to laboratories in affected areas.
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The cruise ship "MV Hondius", on which the Hantavirus has erupted, is currently on its way to Tenerife. There, the evacuation of the sick passengers is being meticulously prepared. To date, five people have been on board, either confirmed or suspected of having the Hantavirus. The health status of the guests and crew is being monitored, the infection wave is being followed, said Anaïs Legand, a WHO expert on viral diseases. WHO staff and medical…
What to know about hantavirus, the illness linked to a cruise ship outbreak
An outbreak aboard a cruise ship of a rare rodent-borne illness called hantavirus has left three passengers dead and sickened others, but global health officials say the risk to the general public remains low because the germ does not easily spread between people.
Quick take...Hantavirus cruise ship weirdness
On May 2nd it was reported to the World Health Organization that a "cluster" of passengers on the cruise ship MV Hondius had fallen ill with "severe respiratory illness". As of May 4th, seven passengers had fallen ill, resulting in three deaths. Lab testing "confirmed" Hantavirus infection in two of the cases, the other five remained "suspected". As of this morning, an eighth case - and third "confirmed" - has been reported. "Confirmed" is a tri…
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