According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Department of Health, a suspected outbreak of the rare Hantavirus has been detected on the cruise liner MV Hondius<\/b> sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n
The infection has already claimed three lives, including an elderly Dutch couple, while at least three others are infected. According to the WHO, at least one case of the virus has been confirmed, and detailed epidemiological and laboratory studies, including viral sequencing, are currently underway.<\/p>\n
The vessel, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde, is currently stationed near the port of the capital of Cape Verde. Among the infected, one patient is in the intensive care unit of a South African hospital, while another\u2014a 69-year-old British man confirmed to have Hantavirus\u2014is being treated at a private clinic in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
The liner’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions<\/b>, stated that two crew members on board require emergency medical assistance; however, local authorities have not yet granted permission for them to disembark. The WHO and the Dutch government are actively involved in coordinating the evacuation and repatriation processes.<\/p>\n
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents. The virus causes two severe syndromes: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)<\/b>, which affects the lungs, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)<\/b>. The World Health Organization stated that while person-to-person transmission of Hantavirus is rare, the spread of the infection between humans is still possible.<\/p>\n
At this stage, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Hantavirus; therefore, the risk of lethality is reduced only by timely medical intervention. Medical monitoring of passengers continues on the MV Hondius, which accommodates 170 passengers and 70 crew members. The UK Foreign Office is also monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n