Cruise ship hantavirus strain can spread among humans, says South Africa
Summary
A cruise ship with about 150 people onboard faced a hantavirus outbreak near Cape Verde. South Africa found the virus strain can sometimes spread between people, and several passengers have died or are seriously ill. The ship will dock in Spain to allow passengers to get help.Key Facts
- The MV Hondius cruise ship had a hantavirus outbreak near Cape Verde with around 150 people onboard.
- South Africa confirmed the virus strain is the Andes strain, which can rarely spread from person to person.
- Several passengers from different countries have died, including a Dutch woman and a German man.
- A British passenger is in intensive care in South Africa, and three patients will be evacuated to the Netherlands.
- Switzerland is treating a man infected after the cruise, but there is no wider public risk there.
- Cape Verde blocked the ship from docking to prevent virus spread.
- Spain agreed to let the ship dock in Tenerife, a Canary Island, despite some local opposition.
- Contact tracing is underway in South Africa with 62 people being monitored, and no new cases have been found so far.
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