WHO Confirms Five Hantavirus Cases from MV Hondius Cruise Ship Outbreak
The World Health Organization has confirmed five cases of hantavirus following an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, with a warning that more people could become infected. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths so far, with eight cases reported in total, including three suspected cases.
How Cruise Ship Passengers Spread Hantavirus Across the World
Concerns have been raised about 29 passengers who disembarked from the MV Hondius on April 24 on the island of St Helena, 13 days after the first death on board. These passengers returned to countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Singapore, and Denmark, potentially carrying the rare illness without knowing. While those remaining on the vessel are following strict hygiene measures, the disembarked passengers resumed normal life, unaware they might be infected. A total of 146 people from 23 nationalities are still on board, heading north after departing Cape Verde.
WHO Working with South Africa to Trace Contacts
The WHO is collaborating with health authorities in South Africa to trace contacts of the two confirmed hantavirus cases there, including a Briton who remains in intensive care. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, director of the department of epidemic and pandemic threat management at the WHO, stated that there have been two confirmed cases in South Africa: one was the wife of the first case, who sadly passed away, and another person currently in ICU who is improving. Authorities are following up on flight contacts and anyone who attended to the deceased woman or cared for the man in ICU.
UK First to Raise Alarm About Hantavirus Outbreak
The UK was the first to alert the WHO about the hantavirus outbreak, following a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, reported that eight cases have been identified, with five confirmed as hantavirus and three suspected. Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, more cases may emerge. However, the WHO assesses the public health risk as low.
Hantavirus Outbreak Not Expected to Become an Epidemic
Health officials have stated that the outbreak is not expected to become an epidemic. Dr Abdirahman Mahamud, director at the alert and response coordination department of the WHO Emergencies Health Programme, referenced a similar outbreak in Argentina in 2018/19 that led to 34 cases. He emphasized that by following public health measures and applying lessons learned from Argentina, the chain of transmission can be broken, preventing a large epidemic. He added that with the experience of member states and actions taken, this outbreak is unlikely to lead to subsequent transmission chains.
