Health officials track dozens who left hantavirus
The Boston Globe • • world
Key Points:
- A hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in at least five confirmed infections and three deaths, with symptoms appearing one to eight weeks after exposure.
- The virus involved is the Andes virus, a hantavirus found in South America known for human-to-human transmission and causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe lung disease.
- Several passengers disembarked at St. Helena and other locations, with some testing positive or showing symptoms; multiple countries including the Netherlands, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK are monitoring and isolating potential cases and contacts.
- The outbreak’s origin is being investigated in Argentina, where the first cases traveled before boarding the ship, and the WHO is coordinating diagnostic support and public health measures to contain the spread.
- The MV Hondius is currently sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands with over 140 passengers and crew onboard, while authorities continue contact tracing and isolation efforts to prevent further transmission.
