The World Health Organization (WHO) has assured the public that the risk posed by hantavirus remains low, following a suspected outbreak that left three people dead and three others ill aboard a cruise ship. Health officials stressed that there is no need for panic or travel restrictions despite the incident.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, said in a statement, “The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions.”
Suspected Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius
The outbreak occurred on the Netherlands-based cruise ship MV Hondius, which was travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde. Authorities believe the illness is linked to hantavirus, a rodent-borne virus that can cause severe respiratory and renal complications in humans.
The first reported case was a 70-year-old passenger who developed symptoms while onboard and later died. His body was brought to the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.
Evacuations and Ongoing Investigation
The victim’s 69-year-old wife also became ill and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital. Officials have not yet confirmed the nationalities of the victims.
A third patient, a 69-year-old British national, was also evacuated to Johannesburg and remains in intensive care. Another source indicated that a Dutch couple may also be among the fatalities, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding the possible isolation of two additional sick passengers in Cape Verde. After this, the ship is expected to continue its journey toward Spain’s Canary Islands.
