Health officials are still scrambling to contain a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius after nearly 23 passengers disembarked before the World Health Organization stepped in to track them down.
According to reporting from Spanish newspaper El País, the sick passengers got off the ship during a stop on the remote Atlantic island of Saint Helena in April — even though they were already infected and at least one had died. The outbreak, caused by the Andes virus strain (the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person), has so far linked to eight cases, including three among those who were evacuated.
Passengers Disembarked With No Idea They Were Sick
A Spanish passenger still aboard the ship told El País the travelers had no clue they may have been exposed to hantavirus — a disease the WHO says can have a mortality rate as high as 40% — when they left the ship and headed home. The group reportedly scattered internationally, returning to North America, Australia, Taiwan, England, the Netherlands, and beyond. One of the passengers who disembarked has since been hospitalized in Switzerland and tested positive for the virus.
WHO and Health Authorities Took Weeks to Contact Passengers
The situation is even more alarming because the passenger claims health authorities and the WHO didn’t begin contacting some of the former passengers until this week — more than two weeks after they left the ship. Hantavirus is caused by contact with infected mouse or rat feces and urine, and the WHO confirmed Wednesday the outbreak aboard the Hondius involves the Andes virus strain, which can spread from person to person through close and prolonged contact involving bodily fluids.
Most Remaining Passengers Under Strict Isolation
Meanwhile, most of the remaining passengers aboard the ship are still reportedly under strict isolation and hygiene measures as officials try to contain the outbreak. The incident highlights the dangers of hantavirus, which has a mortality rate the WHO says could be as high as 40%.
As the situation unfolds, health officials are working to track down all the passengers who may have been exposed to the virus and provide them with treatment. The outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following safety protocols on cruise ships and other public venues.
FAQ
- What is the hantavirus outbreak about? It’s aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, caused by the Andes virus strain, which can spread from person to person.
- How many passengers disembarked? Nearly 23, despite being sick.
- Where did the passengers go? They scattered internationally, including to North America, Australia, Taiwan, England, and the Netherlands.
- What’s the mortality rate of hantavirus? The WHO reports it could be as high as 40%.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
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