Hantavirus outbreak suspected on Atlantic cruise ship as WHO confirms at least one case

Health officials were investigating a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean. The World Health Organisation said three people died and at least three others fell ill. At least one infection was confirmed, and one patient remained in intensive care in South Africa. Two more people with symptoms were awaiting evacuation from the ship.

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Oceanwide Expeditions said the vessel was positioned off Cape Verde, where local officials were assisting. However, authorities had not permitted anyone to leave the ship. The operator said the two people needing urgent care onboard were crew members. WHO said it was working with authorities to move the two symptomatic people into medical care.

Hantavirus outbreak investigation on MV Hondius

"WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,\" the organisation said. \"Detailed 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 ongoing.\"

In a statement to The Associated Press, WHO said an investigation was in progress. The agency said at least one hantavirus case was confirmed. One patient was receiving intensive care in a South African hospital. WHO said it was coordinating with officials to evacuate two others with symptoms from the ship.

South Africa’s Department of Health said the cruise began about three weeks earlier in Argentina. The itinerary included Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other stops. The ship was expected to continue towards Spain’s Canary Islands. The department said the first death was a 70-year-old man who died onboard.

The health department said the man’s body was removed in Saint Helena, a British territory. The man’s wife later collapsed at an airport in South Africa. The department said the wife was trying to fly to the Netherlands. The wife died at a nearby hospital after collapsing.

The department said the patient in intensive care in Johannesburg was a British national. The department said the person became ill near Ascension Island. This happened after the ship left Saint Helena. The department said the person was transferred from Ascension Island to South Africa for treatment.

Hantavirus outbreak passenger and crew response

South Africa’s Department of Health said about 150 tourists were onboard during the outbreak. Online tour operators said the ship usually carried about 70 crew. Oceanwide Expeditions said a third victim’s body remained onboard in Cape Verde. The company said local health teams inspected the two symptomatic crew members.

Oceanwide Expeditions said Cape Verde officials had not decided on medical transfer. The company said: \"Local health authorities have visited the vessel to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals,\" and added, \"They are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals into medical care in Cape Verde.\"

Hantavirus outbreak disease details and transmission

Hantaviruses are found worldwide and mainly spread through rodents. Infection usually follows contact with urine or faeces from infected rats or mice. The viruses drew attention after Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife, died of hantavirus in New Mexico last year. Hackman died about a week later from heart disease.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information links hantaviruses to two severe syndromes. One is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which damages the lungs. The other is hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which affects the kidneys. WHO said person-to-person spread can occur, though infections are rare overall.

There is no specific cure or targeted treatment for hantavirus infection. WHO said early medical attention can improve survival chances. WHO said it was working with national authorities and the ship operator on a full public health risk assessment. South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases was tracing contacts in Johannesburg for possible exposure.

With inputs from PTI