Hantavirus outbreak: 3 dead, 1 critical as WHO monitoring situation

Three people have died following a suspected Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship on the Atlantic Ocean the World Health Organization WHO said on Monday The MV Hondius ship travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde with 150 or so passengers recorded one confirmed and five suspected cases of the rare but dangerous diseaseThe WHO said it was monitoring and supporting the public health incident aboard a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean where a hantavirus outbreak has been confirmed resulting in three deaths and multiple suspected infectionsIn a post on X WHO stated ldquoWHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean To date one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed and there are five additional suspected cases Of the six affected individuals three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South AfricardquoThe organisation added that investigations are ongoing and medical support is being provided to those affected ldquoDetailed investigations are ongoing including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew Sequencing of the virus is also ongoingrdquo WHO saidHantavirus is typically transmitted to humans from rodents through contact with their urine or faecesIt can cause severe respiratory illness and in rare cases can spread between humansThe disease is considered serious and requires close medical monitoring and supportive careThe outbreak has been reported aboard the MV Hondius a polar cruise ship operated by tour company Oceanwide Expeditions According to its published itinerary the vessel departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on 20 March and was expected to complete its voyage in Cape Verde on 4 May The ship is a 1076metre 353 ft expedition cruise vessel designed to carry up to 170 passengers in 80 cabins along with 57 crew members 13 guides and one onboard doctorAmong the affected is a 69yearold British national who is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg South Africa Authorities have confirmed that one case is laboratoryconfirmed while five others remain under investigation as suspected infectionsWHO further noted that it is coordinating with member states and the shiprsquos operators to arrange medical evacuation for two symptomatic passengers and to conduct a full public health risk assessment for those still onboardldquoWHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and the Shiprsquos operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board WHO is grateful for the rapid actions and coordinationrdquo the organization saidThe agency has informed national focal points under the International Health Regulations and said a Disease Outbreak News report will be issued for public disseminationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever