The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the general public faces a low risk in connection with a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Currently, there are seven cases confirmed or suspected among the ship’s passengers, three of whom have tragically passed away. The WHO indicates that there is a possibility of human-to-human transmission occurring.
As the authorities in Cape Verde prevent the ship from docking, Spanish officials are considering whether to permit the vessel’s arrival in their ports.
According to a recent update from the WHO, published late Monday, the risk to the broader community remains low for this virus, which is primarily transmitted by infected rodents and only occasionally spreads between humans. The fatalities include a Dutch couple and a German national, while a British citizen has been evacuated to South Africa and is currently in critical condition.
Out of the seven reported cases, two have been definitively diagnosed with hantavirus, while the remaining five are under investigation as suspected cases.
The MV Hondius is currently holding around 150 passengers, predominantly from the UK, the US, and Spain, on a luxury cruise that commenced from Argentina’s southernmost point in late March. The voyage included stops at the Antarctic Peninsula and other remote locations such as South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha.
In response to the outbreak, Cape Verde’s authorities, located off the coast of West Africa, have denied the Dutch-flagged Hondius permission to dock as a precautionary measure. The WHO has indicated that Spain would be willing to accept the cruise ship, facilitating an investigation into potential risks for the remaining passengers. However, Spanish officials have yet to reach a conclusive decision regarding the ship’s entry.
As a safety measure, passengers on the Hondius have been advised to remain in their cabins as much as possible. The WHO also noted that the incubation period for the virus could extend for several weeks, meaning some individuals might not exhibit symptoms yet.
Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to trace the outbreak’s source, with medical teams in Cape Verde assessing patients and collecting further samples for testing. The WHO mentioned that while uncommon, there have been instances of limited human-to-human transmission of the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus found in Argentina and Chile, particularly in situations involving close and prolonged contact.
The first fatalities involved a Dutch couple who had traveled extensively in South America, including Argentina, prior to boarding the cruise ship. The Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in March, on a journey marketed as an Antarctic nature expedition with ticket prices ranging from 14,000 to 22,000 euros (approximately $22,000 to $35,000).
The initial passenger to succumb to the virus was a Dutch man who passed away on April 11. His remains were not removed from the ship until April 24, when they were disembarked in St. Helena, accompanied by his wife. She exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms upon disembarking and deteriorated during her subsequent flight to Johannesburg, where she died upon arrival at an emergency department on April 26. The WHO has noted that contact tracing is being conducted for passengers on that flight.
Authorities in South Africa have confirmed that the British patient receiving treatment in Johannesburg has tested positive for hantavirus. Additionally, the Netherlands has verified the presence of the virus in the deceased Dutch woman.
