Hantavirus may have spread between passengers on cruise ship, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes hantavirus may have spread between passengers on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where three individuals have died. While typically transmitted by rodents, the WHO suggests close human contact on the ship could be a factor, though this is considered rare. The virus was likely contracted by the first ill passenger before boarding. Seven cases, two confirmed and five suspected, have been identified among the 149 passengers and crew from 23 countries. The ship has been moored off Cape Verde since Monday. Disinfection and protective measures are in place, and two symptomatic crew members are scheduled for medical evacuation to the Netherlands. Spain has granted permission for the vessel to dock in the Canary Islands for further assessment.

Two cases of hantavirus have been confirmed, with five more suspected, among individuals aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, currently stranded near Cape Verde. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that out of the seven cases, three people have died, one is critically ill, and three have mild symptoms. The deceased include a Dutch couple and a German national. The ship, carrying mostly British, American, and Spanish passengers, departed from Argentina in March. The WHO stated the risk to the wider public is low, as hantavirus rarely spreads between humans. Efforts are underway to trace contacts of one of the deceased Dutch women who traveled by flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg. The ship operator is working on disembarking passengers, with potential destinations including Las Palmas or Tenerife.

A hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in seven identified cases, including three deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The ship, carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries, is currently quarantined off Cabo Verde. Among the confirmed cases are a British passenger in intensive care and a Dutch passenger who died after disembarking, who had also tested positive. The outbreak's origin is believed to be connected to the voyage, with investigations ongoing to understand the transmission. The ship's passengers and crew are being monitored as the situation develops.

Cape Verde has refused docking to the cruise ship MV Hondius due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak. Three passengers have died, and at least two others are sick, including a British tourist in intensive care in South Africa where a variant of hantavirus was identified. The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, stated that the connection between the deaths and the virus is still under investigation. The ship, carrying 149 people of 23 nationalities, was anchored off the coast of Praia. Global health officials are actively investigating the situation.

Three individuals have died and others are ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The ship was sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde, where it is currently anchored. While three deaths are linked to the suspected outbreak, only one passenger, a British national, has been confirmed to have hantavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the risk to the general public remains low and is coordinating with countries for the evacuation of affected passengers. Investigations are ongoing to confirm the cause of illness and deaths.

A suspected hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in three deaths and several illnesses among passengers and crew. One case has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases pending. The ship is currently stationary off the coast of Cape Verde. Three passengers have died, and one is in intensive care in South Africa. The World Health Organization is coordinating with governments and the ship's operator to arrange medical evacuations for two symptomatic passengers while investigating the outbreak and assessing public health risks. Authorities in Cape Verde have not yet authorized broader medical disembarkation.

Three passengers have died following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was traveling between Argentina and Cape Verde. The World Health Organization confirmed one case of hantavirus infection and five suspected cases, with three fatalities and one individual in intensive care in South Africa. Among the deceased were a Dutch couple, and the person in intensive care is a British national. Hantavirus, typically spread through rodent contact, can cause severe respiratory illness. The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, has not commented. Authorities are coordinating medical evacuations and considering isolation for other sick passengers.

Three individuals have died following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde. The World Health Organization confirmed one case of hantavirus and is investigating five additional suspected cases. A 69-year-old British national is in intensive care in South Africa. Hantavirus infections are typically contracted through environmental exposure to rodents, though human-to-human transmission is possible in rare instances, leading to severe respiratory illness. The cruise ship is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

Three individuals have died on the Atlantic cruise ship MV Hondius following a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization confirmed one laboratory-confirmed case of hantavirus, with five additional suspected cases among passengers traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cabo Verde. Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one remains in intensive care in South Africa. South African health officials reported the outbreak of a severe acute respiratory illness, with one patient testing positive for hantavirus. The virus is typically transmitted to humans from rodents.