Three people have died following the cruise ship outbreak (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a major update on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship linked to an outbreak of hantavirus. Three people have died, while five reportedly have symptoms of the disease onboard MV Hondius, including a British national who was evacuated to an intensive care unit in South Africa, where they remain in a critical but stable condition.
Another passenger on the boat presented himself to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, where he was confirmed to have the virus. The vessel is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, with passengers said to be isolating in their cabins.
Speaking during a news conference on Wednesday, WHO representative Marie Roseline Belizaire said the risk of hantavirus spreading on a global level was “low”, rising to “medium” onboard the cruise ship.
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Patients have been evacuated from the vessel following eight reported infections (Image: AP)
She added: “So far, we have the same virus confirmed… I think we can, with caution, say the cases are linked to the same outbreak because it’s the same virus as confirmed in Switzerland, in the person evacuated in South Africa, and in the sample collected in Cape Verde.”
Fellow WHO representative Ann Lindstand said the response was “multi-country and time sensitive”.
She added: “We have been taking samples of the clinical patients onboard and they’re being analysed right now.”
While the cause of the outbreak has not been officially confirmed, two Argentine officials said their Government’s leading hypothesis is that a Dutch couple contracted the virus while birdwatching in the city of Ushuaia.
During the trip, the couple visited a landfill site where they may have been exposed to rodents carrying hantavirus, the officials told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The cruise ship is scheduled to embark on a three-day journey to the Canary Islands after Spanish officials gave it permission to dock, sparking a row with the president of the Canary Islands, who expressed concerns about the vessel arriving in Tenerife.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the global health body, said the three evacuated passengers were being transported to the Netherlands for medical care.
He wrote on X: “WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed.
“Monitoring and follow-up for passengers on board and for those who have already disembarked has been initiated in collaboration with the ship’s operators and national health authorities.”
Tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement: “At this stage, the planned destination for m/v Hondius following the successful medical transfer is the Canary Islands.
“Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.
“We are unable to confirm the details of onward travel for guests at this stage. This is dependent on medical advice and the outcome of stringent screening procedures.”
