British Authorities Identify New Suspected Hantavirus Cruise Case (Live Updates)
Forbes • • general
Key Points:
- U.K. health authorities have identified a new suspected hantavirus case linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, involving a British man on Tristan da Cunha; a KLM flight attendant tested negative for the virus.
- The MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 passengers from 23 countries, remains off the coast of West Africa with passengers isolating in cabins and medical teams onboard managing the outbreak.
- The cruise ship began its journey in Argentina on April 1, visiting remote islands including Antarctica and Tristan da Cunha, with three confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases so far, resulting in three deaths.
- Andes hantavirus, the strain involved, is unique for person-to-person transmission, typically through close contact, but no rodents have been found on the ship; symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to severe respiratory issues with a high mortality rate.
- There is no specific treatment for hantavirus; patients receive supportive care, and health officials emphasize a low risk to the wider population when proper infection control measures are followed.
