 recently provided a crucial update regarding the hantavirus outbreak on the polar expedition ship){kind=link}
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently provided a crucial update regarding the hantavirus outbreak on the polar expedition ship, MV Hondius. An expert confirmed that the first person to contract the virus could not have been infected during the cruise. This vessel left Argentina on April 1 and arrived in Cape Verde this past Sunday. Approximately 150 passengers and crew members remained on board throughout the journey.
Investigation of the First Case
The WHO identified a 70-year-old Dutch passenger as the first individual to fall ill. He started experiencing symptoms like fever and headaches on April 6. Sadly, he developed severe respiratory distress and died on April 11. An expert from the WHO, Anais Legand, explained that the virus has an incubation period of one to six weeks. Consequently, the man clearly encountered exposure to a rodent before he boarded the ship.
Overview of the Recent Deaths
Tragically, three people have died in connection with this outbreak. The Dutch man’s wife also tested positive after showing symptoms in late April. She passed away in Johannesburg shortly after leaving the ship. Furthermore, a German passenger is suspected of dying from the virus on May 2. Currently, two other passengers receive treatment in hospitals in Johannesburg and Zurich, while three others were evacuated to the Netherlands.
How Hantavirus Spreads
Hantavirus typically spreads through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. Experts note that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare for most strains. However, the Andes virus strain can pass between people during very close contact. Legand mentioned that activities like kissing could potentially facilitate this rare type of transmission. Authorities continue to investigate the specific details of how this outbreak spread among the passengers.
Next Steps for the Ship
The ship currently sails toward Tenerife in the Canary Islands. A team from the WHO boarded the vessel earlier this week to assess the situation and support the passengers. Meanwhile, health officials are coordinating with authorities to ensure a safe arrival. They aim to establish a secure protocol for treating those on board once the ship docks. Everyone hopes these measures will prevent further infections as the investigation continues.