Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: WHO currently sees no threat of further spread of infection

Photo Illustration by Vincenzo Izzo/LightRocket via Getty Images

The World Health Organization has stated that after the evacuation of all passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, there is currently no threat of further spread of hantavirus and the emergence of a larger-scale outbreak, writes the BBC.

On Monday, the vessel departed the Spanish island of Tenerife and is heading to Rotterdam. Meanwhile, a plane carrying the last 28 evacuated passengers landed in Eindhoven on Tuesday.

"While there is no sign yet that we are seeing the beginning of a larger outbreak, the situation could, of course, change – given the long incubation period of the virus, we may see new cases in the coming weeks," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He also emphasized that the work to prevent the spread of the virus is not yet complete.

Previously, WHO experts noted that the risk of a hantavirus epidemic was very low.

Three passengers who were on board the MV Hondius died as a result of the hantavirus outbreak.

The infection was also detected in one French citizen and one Spaniard who returned home after the cruise.

In total, WHO experts confirmed nine cases of the disease among passengers, with two more suspected cases of hantavirus.

What happens to the sick

Of all those who fell ill, the French citizen is in the most serious condition: she is receiving assistance in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Paris.

Doctors say her illness is "in its most severe form": she required artificial lung ventilation.

The patient from Spain is experiencing mild respiratory symptoms.

In addition, 12 staff members who assisted one of the passengers with suspected hantavirus are undergoing quarantine in a hospital in the Netherlands. Medical professionals say this is being done as a precautionary measure, as these individuals did not follow strict safety measures when handling blood and urine samples.

Hantaviruses are usually carried by rodents, but human-to-human transmission of the "Andes" strain is possible. WHO believes that some passengers of the Dutch vessel contracted this particular variant of the virus during their stay in South America.

Symptoms can include fever, severe fatigue, muscle aches, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.

New cases

On Tuesday, the Spanish Ministry of Health reported that hantavirus was detected in one of the 14 Spanish citizens who were evacuated from the cruise ship and are now in isolation in Madrid.

This person has "a low fever and mild respiratory symptoms," but their condition is stable, says the Spanish Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, in Italy, medics are taking samples from a person with hantavirus symptoms who was on the same plane as the woman who later died from the infection.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the hantavirus situation in the country is "under control."

The head of the French Ministry of Health, Stéphanie Rist, reported that four French citizens who were evacuated from the ship (besides the woman in intensive care) tested negative for hantavirus. Another 22 people who had contact with potential virus carriers are in the hospital and will undergo isolation for at least two weeks.

Two UK citizens confirmed to have hantavirus are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa.

Where the ship is heading

The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to travel to Rotterdam for six days, arriving on May 17.

The ship's operator, cruise company Oceanwide Expedition, is still deciding what to do with the ship upon arrival, however, it must undergo sanitary cleaning.

• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0