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The Guardian World1 min read
Worldwide race to trace passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship
TL;DR
Health authorities worldwide are urgently tracing passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship after a hantavirus outbreak resulted in five confirmed cases and three deaths. The outbreak is not expected to lead to a pandemic like Covid-19.
Key points
- Hantavirus outbreak confirmed on MV Hondius cruise ship
- Five cases reported, including three deaths
- Health authorities tracing passengers who disembarked
- About 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries
- Outbreak not expected to lead to a pandemic
Mentioned in this story
World Health OrganizationSt Helena
MV Hondius
Health authorities across the globe are racing to trace dozens of people who disembarked from a cruise ship before an outbreak of hantavirus was detected, and anyone who has come into close contact with them since.
Five cases have now been confirmed, including three deaths, following an outbreak on the Dutch vessel MV Hondius, the World Health Organization has said.
The UN health agency also said the outbreak is not the start of pandemic like Covid six years ago, because this hantavirus strain spreads through "close, intimate contact".
But given the incubation period of this disease - which can be up to six weeks - it was possible more cases may be reported, the WHO said.
About 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries are reported to have initially been aboard the vessel, but dozens got off on the island of St Helena on 24 April.
The luxury cruise, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its journey on 1 April in Ushuaia, Argentina, and is expected to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands on 10 May.
Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents - but in the latest outbreak the transmission between people was documented for the first time, the WHO said.
The WHO is in touch with officials in at least 12 countries who are monitoring citizens that returned home.
Those countries include Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
One expert told the BBC the outbreak response has been "high chaotic and uncoordinated" but there was little general risk to the public.
Here is what we know about the countries affected so far:
Three British nationals have suspected hantavirus.
Seven Brits disembarked the MV Hondius in St Helena on 24 April before the first confirmed case of hantavirus was reported on 4 May, with four remaining there.
One patient is on the remote Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the ship stopped in mid-April.
Two other British men have confirmed cases. One is Martin Anstee, a 56-year-old retired police officer, who remains in a stable condition in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship on Wednesday, while the other remains in intensive care after being flown to South Africa last month.
They do not have symptoms but are in contact with health officials. It is understood that medical staff will be sent to the islands to provide support.
Two other British nationals are already self-isolating at home in the UK after potential exposure. They are doing so voluntarily and do not have any symptoms.
The health agencies of five states have said they are monitoring people who were on the ship: two each in Georgia and Texas, one each in Arizona and Virginia, and an unspecified number in California, according to the BBC's US partner, CBS News.
Q&A
What is the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship?
The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius has resulted in five confirmed cases, including three deaths, prompting health authorities to trace passengers who disembarked.
How many passengers were on the MV Hondius cruise ship?
About 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries were initially aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
What measures are being taken to trace passengers from the MV Hondius?
Health authorities are racing to trace anyone who disembarked from the MV Hondius and those who have had close contact with them since the outbreak was detected.
Is the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius a pandemic risk?
The World Health Organization has stated that the hantavirus strain involved does not pose a pandemic risk like Covid-19, as it spreads through close, intimate contact.
