Three dead and another critical after outbreak of deadly hantavirus on cruise ship

• Three people have died and another is in critical condition after a hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius, a 170-person cruise vessel that was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde.
• One of the ship’s passengers tested positive for hantavirus, which spreads through rodent droppings.
• It is believed the other ill passengers onboard have contracted the disease as well, with six infections in total.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that three people on a cruise ship have died from what is suspected to be hantavirus, caused by rodent droppings. A fourth person, a British national, is currently in intensive care and it is believed up to six people were infected.

This outbreak happened on MV Hondius, a vessel operated by Dutch company Oceanwide expeditions which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. The ship has capacity for 170 guests and 57 crew members, and it’s reported that about 150 passengers were onboard.

Two of the infected people are crew members, who until now have not been allowed to disembark by authorities in Cape Verde where the ship is.

One of the infected was tested in a laboratory and was confirmed to have hantavirus, with the other five people suspected to have contracted the same virus.

Hantavirus refers to a family of viruses that generally are spread by mice and rats, and can be contracted by humans through breathing in virus particles in the air from rodent urine, droppings or saliva. If contracted, the virus is severe, with the mortality rate as high as 40 per cent.

Symptoms generally start with fatigue, fever, abdominal pain and muscle aches, and then can progress into serious respiratory problems, with shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

The WHO said in a statement: “WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

“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.

“Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure (exposure to infected rodents’ urine or faeces). While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response.

“WHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and the Ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board. WHO is grateful for the rapid actions and coordination.”