Hantavirus outbreak reported on cruise ship off West Africa
Some human-to-human transmission may have occurred on board the cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak that has left three people dead and several others ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday, reports BritPanorama.
Almost 150 people, including 17 Americans, remain stranded on the MV Hondius, currently off the coast of West Africa. The ship, operated by tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina last month on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, stopping at some of the world’s most remote islands. However, multiple passengers fell ill with a rapidly progressing respiratory illness during the journey, according to the company.
Seven cases of hantavirus have been identified thus far, with two confirmed and five suspected. Three individuals—a Dutch couple and a German national—have died, while one British national is in intensive care in South Africa, although reports indicate his condition is improving.
Two additional passengers showing symptoms of hantavirus remain on board the ship, with medical evacuation currently underway. “We do know that some of the cases had very close contact with each other and certainly human-to-human transmission can’t be ruled out so as a precaution this is what we are assuming,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated.
The WHO emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, clarifying that “this is not a virus that spreads like flu or like COVID. It’s quite different.”
The situation continues to evolve as authorities monitor the health of those onboard and manage the outbreak effectively.
