Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, including one confirmed hantavirus case, prompting the Dutch government to launch an emergency operation.
The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde, during a trip operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions.
“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases,” the World Health Organization said.
“Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.”
Hantavirus, an illness usually transmitted to humans from rodents, has been confirmed in the passenger currently in intensive care in Johannesburg. However, it has not yet been established whether the virus caused the three deaths, said Oceanwide Expeditions.
“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response”, the WHO said.
Still, the suspected outbreak presents a low risk to the public, Hans Kluge, the head of the World Health Organization Europe, said Monday.
“There is no need for panic or travel restrictions,” Kluge said in a statement.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said it is closely monitoring the situation and will work to “identify the source of infection and evaluate any potential risk of further transmission in Europe.”
Dutch emergency operation
Dutch authorities will attempt to repatriate two sick people from the ship, the vessel’s operator Oceanwide Expeditions said Monday.
“Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort to organise the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board MV Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands,” the operator said.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X that the agency was working with the ship’s operators and affected member states.
“WHO is facilitating medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, conducting a full risk assessment, and supporting affected people onboard,” he added.
The first person on the cruise to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old Dutch passenger. According to the latest information from the operator, the man died on board on 11April and his wife on 27 April, whilst she was already on her way home.
The third victim is said to be a German national. He reportedly died on May 2.
The ship, which has 149 people of 23 nationalities on board, is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde. While local doctors have visited to assess the medical condition of the two sick passengers, no permission has been given to evacuate them to shore. The Canary Islands are being “considered” for the boat’s disembarkation, said the operator.
(bms)
This article has been updated.
Source:
www.euractiv.com