The head of the World Health Organization has confirmed that a hantavirus outbreak may still be unfolding following the evacuation of passengers from a cruise ship affected by the disease.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that while there is currently no evidence of a large-scale outbreak, the situation remains uncertain and could evolve, with additional cases still possible due to the virus’s long incubation period.
The MV Hondius departed Tenerife in Spain on Monday en route to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, while the final group of 28 passengers was flown to Eindhoven. Among those affected, three deaths have been reported. An American and a French national who had earlier disembarked later tested positive, bringing the total confirmed cases to seven.
In the Netherlands, 12 hospital staff members have been placed in quarantine after potential exposure while treating an evacuated patient. The Nijmegen hospital said this was a precaution after some staff did not fully follow strict handling protocols for blood and urine samples.
At a press briefing in Madrid, Ghebreyesus said there was no indication of a wider outbreak at present but emphasized continued vigilance, stating that containment efforts were still ongoing.
Health experts note that hantaviruses are typically transmitted through rodents, although limited human-to-human transmission of the Andes strain is believed to be possible. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and in severe cases, respiratory distress.
Authorities have confirmed that 122 passengers and crew have already been repatriated to their home countries through government-arranged flights. Meanwhile, 27 people remain on board the vessel, including crew members and medical staff, as the ship continues its journey to Rotterdam for sanitation and further procedures.
Additional cases and fatalities have been reported across multiple countries, including Spain, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, with some patients in isolation or receiving treatment.
The outbreak began after the ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 with 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, though they maintain that the risk of a major outbreak remains low.
(Source: BBC)
