WHO Confirms Five Hantavirus Cases Linked to Cruise Ship Outbreak

New Delhi- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday confirmed five cases of hantavirus linked to an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, while three more cases are still under investigation.

According to the WHO, eight passengers developed severe respiratory illness during the voyage, including three who died. Tests have confirmed that five of the infections were caused by the Andes virus strain of hantavirus.

The global health body has alerted 12 countries whose citizens had travelled on the cruise ship earlier during its journey near Saint Helena, a remote British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The countries informed include Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a media briefing in Geneva that the agency currently believes the outbreak can remain “limited” if swift public health measures are enforced.

At the same time, he cautioned that more infections could emerge as authorities continue contact tracing across several countries.

The WHO also announced that nearly 2,500 hantavirus testing kits are being dispatched from laboratories in Argentina to five countries to strengthen surveillance and diagnosis efforts.

Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said there are 149 people from 23 different nationalities aboard the MV Hondius.

Meanwhile, two suspected hantavirus patients evacuated from the vessel remain stranded aboard an air ambulance in the Canary Islands after the aircraft developed a technical fault, according to Spain’s Health Ministry.

The plane had departed from Cape Verde and was expected to refuel in Marrakesh before heading to Amsterdam. However, Spanish media reports claimed Moroccan authorities did not approve the landing request.

Spain’s Health Ministry said the aircraft doctor detected a malfunction in the patients’ electrical support system during the stopover.

Earlier, Spain confirmed that it would allow the hantavirus-linked cruise ship to dock in the Canary Islands on humanitarian grounds and in line with international law.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is currently assessing the onboard situation to identify passengers requiring emergency evacuation in Cape Verde. Remaining passengers and crew are expected to reach the Canary Islands within the next three to four days.

With inputs from IANS