Hantavirus outbreak: WHO confirms three deaths, continues international tracing
World Health Organization (WHO) said eight hantavirus-linked cases, including three deaths, have been reported in connection with the cruise ship MV Hondius, as international health authorities continue investigating the outbreak and tracing passengers across multiple countries, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
According to the organization’s latest update, six of the cases have been confirmed as Andes virus, a strain of hantavirus found in South America. Four patients remain hospitalized in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, while one previously suspected case was ruled out after testing negative.
The outbreak investigation focuses on passengers and crew members aboard the expedition cruise ship, which departed South America earlier this year. WHO said the first probable case involved a male passenger who had spent more than three months traveling in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay before boarding the vessel on April 1. He later developed symptoms and died on board on April 11.
Subsequent cases included close contacts, crew members, and passengers who later traveled through South Africa, Switzerland and other countries. Health authorities have launched international contact tracing efforts involving several countries, including Argentina, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
As Qazinform News Agency reported earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that the risk of Hantavirus spreading to the general population is "absolutely low.”