WHO warns of possible human-to-human transmission of hantavirus on cruise ship
Hantavirus victims on the ship Hundius in the Atlantic Ocean may have been infected prior to joining the cruise, and human-to-human transmission on board cannot be ruled out, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, Qazinform News Agency learnt from Xinhua reports.
The hantavirus outbreak was reported on May 2. Seven out of 147 passengers and crew fell ill, with 3 fatalities.
One patient is in intensive care in South Africa, while two others are being prepared for evacuation to the Netherlands.
Passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins as disinfection and public health measures are carried out.
The ship is scheduled to continue to the Canary Islands, where Spanish authorities will assist with a full epidemiological investigation.
Hantaviruses are typically spread by rodents through contact with droppings, urine, or saliva.
WHO noted that the initial patients, a husband and wife who boarded in Argentina, may have been infected before the cruise.
However, close-contact transmission between cabin mates cannot be ruled out.
Human-to-human spread is rare but has been documented in past outbreaks of the Andes virus, a hantavirus strain.
Symptoms often include respiratory distress, with supportive care being the main treatment.
WHO emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored and that medical evacuation of critical patients is the top priority.
Earlier, it was reported that the World Health Organization had announced the deaths of three people from hantavirus infection aboard a cruise vessel.
