Three passengers dead after suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

Dutch husband and wife and third unidentified person reported to have died, with three further people taken ill A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean killed three people – including an elderly married couple – and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa’s health department said on Sunday. The WHO said an investigation was under way but that at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the UN’s health agency said in a statement to the Associated Press, and the WHO was working with authorities to evacuate two others with symptoms from the ship. Continue reading... Dutch husband and wife and third unidentified person reported to have died, with three further people taken ill A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean killed three people – including an elderly married couple – and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa’s health department said on Sunday.

The WHO said an investigation was under way but that at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the UN’s health agency said in a statement to the Associated Press, and the WHO was working with authorities to evacuate two others with symptoms from the ship. The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde . The South African health ministry said the man fell ill onboard the ship and died on the island of Saint Helena, while his wife died at a hospital in Kempton Park, a city in South Africa. A British man, 69, who became ill on the ship was taken to a private health facility in Johannesburg, according to the South African health ministry, which said he tested positive for hantavirus.

Hantavirus is usually caught through contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents. While rare, hantavirus infections could be spread between people, the WHO said. “WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the organisation said. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.” The ship is operated by the Dutch tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, which said on Sunday evening that two crew members onboard require urgent medical care and the third fatality was still onboard the ship.

The company said local health authorities had assessed the two symptomatic individuals, but the ship did not have authorisation from Cape Verdean authorities to disembark people requiring medical care. “The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals onboard receive adequate and expedited medical care,” a spokesperson said. “Disembarkation and medical screening of all guests require coordination with local health authorities, and we are in close consultation with them.” Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organising the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals to the Netherlands, the cruise operator said, along with the body of the deceased individual. The MV Hondius, which can accommodate about 170 passengers and has 70 crew members, is listed as a polar cruise ship on the websites of several travel agencies. The UK’s foreign office said: “We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed.

We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.” Explore more on these topics Share Reuse this content Dutch husband and wife and third unidentified person reported to have died, with three further people taken ill A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean killed three people – including an elderly married couple – and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa’s health department said on Sunday. The WHO said an investigation was under way but that at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the UN’s health agency said in a statement to the Associated Press, and the WHO was working with authorities to evacuate two others with symptoms from the ship. Continue reading... Three passengers dead after suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship