Three passengers have died and several others have fallen ill aboard a Dutch cruise ship in what appears to be a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently in the waters near Praia, Cape Verde. Officials have refused to allow the ship to dock due to fears of the outbreak spreading.
Hantavirus Cases Identified
A married Dutch couple and a German national who were passengers on the ship have died. A British national aboard the ship was evacuated and is being treated in South Africa; this passenger was the first to be diagnosed with hantavirus infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that seven cases of hantavirus have been identified – two confirmed laboratory cases and five suspected cases. At this time, two of the three deaths have been linked to hantavirus. The WHO maintains that the risk to the general public is low.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantavirus infection is rare but often fatal. It is typically transmitted through exposure to rodents’ urine or feces. Human-to-human transmission is possible with a specific viral strain but is exceptionally rare. Symptoms usually begin with flu-like signs such as fever and body aches, and can progress to severe respiratory illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) depending on the virus type and region.
Cruise Ship Situation
Roughly 150 people, including passengers and crew from over 20 nations, remain aboard the MV Hondius. The ship may head towards Las Palmas or Tenerife to allow passengers to disembark for medical screening. Oceanwide Expeditions stated they are working closely with authorities and implementing strict precautionary measures, including isolation, hygiene protocols, and medical monitoring.
Timeline and Transmission Concerns
The ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, in March. The first death occurred on April 11, with a second death confirmed on April 24 in South Africa. The British national was diagnosed on April 27, and a German national died on May 2. Two crew members have also reported symptoms. Experts suggest transmission could have occurred in Argentina before boarding or from rodents present on the ship. The Andes Virus, known for person-to-person transmission, is present in Argentina.
Treatment and Prevention
There are no approved vaccines or specific therapeutics for hantavirus. Treatment focuses on supportive care, primarily oxygenation. In severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be used. Experts emphasize that hantavirus infection is preventable and rare, and significant outbreaks like flu or COVID-19 are unlikely due to the virus’s limited transmission capabilities.
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