Rare Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Shows Human-to-Human Transmission
A cruise ship in the Atlantic with nearly 150 people aboard is dealing with a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the rare Andes strain, which can spread between humans. Three people have died, with eight total confirmed or suspected cases, and the ship is heading to Spain's Canary Islands.
Outbreak Details
Emergency crews have evacuated three people from a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, as experts confirm it to be a rare strain that can be transmitted between humans. Two sick crew members and one other person who had been in contact with one of the confirmed cases were removed on Wednesday from the MV Hondius off Cape Verde.
Confirmed Cases
Of seven people with symptoms, three died, one was medically evacuated to South Africa and admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), two remained symptomatic on board, requiring medical assistance, and one was diagnosed after disembarking the ship and returning to Switzerland. That takes the total tally to eight cases of hantavirus – three confirmed and five suspected.
Andes Virus Strain
The type on the cruise ship is Andes hantavirus, which is known to spread between people. Person-to-person transmission of ANDV has only been documented following close and prolonged contact.
Ship's Journey
The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius departed Cape Verde for Tenerife on Wednesday, as authorities rush to trace anyone who may have come into contact with the virus. The journey from the archipelago nation off Africa's west coast to Spain's Canary Islands is expected to take three and a half days.