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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that three people have died due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a ship traveling in the Indian Ocean.
According to WHO, infection has been confirmed in one individual, while five others are suspected to be infected. Authorities are conducting further investigations.
The British cruise ship MV Horatius, en route from Argentina to Cape Verde, is suspected to have had the hantavirus outbreak. South African officials say that approximately 150 tourists from various countries were aboard the ship.
A 69-year-old British woman has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. She fell ill while traveling from St. Helena to Ascension Island.
A spokesperson from South Africa’s health department confirmed, “Laboratory tests have confirmed that she is infected with hantavirus.” The patient was transferred from a hospital in Ascension to one in Johannesburg for treatment.
South African authorities have also confirmed that a couple who fell ill on the ship have died.
A 70-year-old man died upon the ship’s arrival at St. Helena island, and his 69-year-old wife passed away later in a Johannesburg hospital. The couple were Dutch nationals.
Detailed Investigation Underway
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
According to WHO, hantavirus infections typically arise due to environmental factors.
The virus can spread to humans through contact with the urine and droppings of infected rodents and other animals.
Rarely, hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person and can cause severe respiratory issues.
WHO emphasizes that patients infected with hantavirus require careful monitoring, supportive care, and treatment.
The agency also reported that extensive investigation and laboratory testing are ongoing in response to the suspected hantavirus transmission on the cruise ship.
“Medical services and support are being provided to passengers and crew, and viral sequencing is underway,” WHO said.
What Is the Risk of Further Spread?
Image source, Oceanwide Expeditions
“WHO is coordinating health management of the symptoms observed in two passengers among member states and ship operators, and is assisting the remaining passengers while conducting a comprehensive public health risk assessment,” the organization stated.
Microbiologist Suzie Wiles notes that hantavirus occurs in various regions and outbreaks are usually small and quickly contained.
She adds that it is still unclear how exactly humans contract hantavirus.
“Person-to-person transmission is rare and remains a subject of medical debate,” she said. “It is still unclear whether outbreaks arise from groups of people coming into contact with infected rodents or from an infected individual spreading it to others.”
She also mentions that food can potentially be contaminated by hantavirus.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection can appear within one to eight weeks of exposure.
“Given the incubation period, it is possible that the number of infected individuals could increase,” she said.
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