Hantavirus may have spread between passengers on cruise ship, WHO says
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that hantavirus may have spread between people on a Dutch cruise ship, the MV Hondius, where three passengers have died. This virus is usually spread by rodents, but close human contact on the ship might have caused the transmission. The ship is currently near Cape Verde, with many passengers still onboard under strict safety measures.Key Facts
- Three passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship have died amid a hantavirus outbreak.
- Hantavirus usually spreads through rodents, but human-to-human spread may have occurred on the ship.
- Two confirmed cases include a Dutch woman and a 69-year-old British man; the virus strain is likely the Andes strain from South America.
- No rats were found on board, and the WHO says the public risk is low.
- The ship left Argentina about a month ago and is now near Cape Verde.
- Local authorities in Cape Verde did not allow passengers to leave the ship for safety reasons.
- Spain may allow the ship to dock in the Canary Islands for further health checks, but no decision is made yet.
- The WHO is focused on treating two crew members with respiratory symptoms and continues testing other symptomatic passengers and crew.
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