Start of Investigations After Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship

A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has resulted in the deaths of three people, including an elderly couple, and has left at least three others ill. The information was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Department of Health.

Outbreak Context and Victims

The outbreak occurred aboard the vessel MV Hondius, which was on a voyage that began in Argentina and included stops in locations such as Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. The first fatality was a 70-year-old man who died on the ship; his body was removed in Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His wife later collapsed at an airport in South Africa and died at a nearby hospital.

Characteristics of Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, such as rats and mice. Infections can lead to two serious syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which impacts the kidneys. Human-to-human transmission, although rare, is possible.

Response by Health Authorities

South African health authorities are working with the WHO to investigate the outbreak. One case of hantavirus has been confirmed, and one patient is in critical condition at a hospital in Johannesburg. The WHO reported that detailed investigations, including laboratory testing and epidemiological inquiries, are underway. The evacuation of two crew members showing symptoms from the ship is being coordinated.

Details About the Cruise and Passengers

The MV Hondius, carrying around 150 passengers and 70 crew members, is currently anchored near Cape Verde. The company responsible for the cruise, Oceanwide Expeditions, stated that the body of the third victim remains on board and that local authorities are assessing the condition of the ill crew members. A decision on transferring them for medical care in Cape Verde has not yet been made.

Investigations into the hantavirus outbreak are ongoing, with health authorities monitoring the situation and ensuring that those affected receive the necessary treatment. The situation highlights the importance of public health surveillance in the context of international travel.

Source: sciencealert.com