Final Passengers Disembark from Hantavirus-Infected Cruise Ship as Three More Cases Confirmed
Image source, Reuters
Reading time: 3 minutes
The last group of passengers affected by hantavirus on the cruise ship has disembarked. Authorities have confirmed three additional cases of the deadly virus infection.
The final six passengers remaining on board included four Australians, one British, and one New Zealander.
After disembarking alongside some crew members, the cruise ship MV Hondius departed from Tenerife on Monday en route to the Netherlands.
Three passengers on board have died so far, with two of those confirmed positive for the virus.
Officials also confirmed that a US citizen and a French national, who had already returned home, tested positive for the infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seven individuals connected to the MV Hondius voyage have tested positive for hantavirus, and two more remain under suspicion.
Treatment Underway for Infected Individuals
Image source, Getty Images
Spain’s Ministry of Health reported on Monday that one of its citizens quarantined in Madrid after disembarking the ship tested positive for hantavirus.
The US Department of Health announced on Monday that a second citizen arriving on a repatriation flight on Sunday showed mild symptoms.
Both passengers have been placed in high-security “biocontainment units,” according to the department.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist stated that a woman is in isolation in Paris and her condition is deteriorating. Officials have identified 22 contacts of hers.
Two British nationals diagnosed with the infection are currently undergoing treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa.
WHO has indicated that hantavirus typically spreads from rodents, but the Andes strain may have potential for human-to-human transmission. It is believed some passengers contracted the virus in South America.
Is the Alarm Excessive?
Image source, Reuters
Hantavirus infection symptoms include fever, severe fatigue, muscle and abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
Officials say the risk of a wide outbreak from this infection is extremely low.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship operator, reported that by Monday evening, 27 crew members remained onboard, including 25 crew and two medical staff.
Among them are 17 Filipinos, four Dutch (including two medical personnel), four Ukrainians, one Russian, and one Polish citizen.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry stated that Ukrainians onboard will assist in bringing the ship to the Netherlands and then remain in quarantine with health care provided.
The ministry also confirmed that none of these individuals are showing symptoms.
More than 90 passengers have repatriated in recent days from the cruise ship MV Hondius docked in the Canary Islands, Spain.
Image source, Reuters
Before the first US citizen’s infection was confirmed, the WHO Director-General warned that failure to follow the organization’s guidance on hantavirus outbreaks could pose risks, referencing the United States’ decision-making.
WHO recommends a 42-day isolation period for those disembarking from the MV Hondius.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, acting head of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated there is very low likelihood of human-to-human transmission and cautions against treating hantavirus like COVID-19.
The MV Hondius, which departed Argentina on April 1, carried 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries.
