Cruise ship awaiting help as hantavirus ‘outbreak’ kills 3

Cape Town: A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus has killed three people and left at least three seriously ill aboard a Dutch cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde. The MV Hondius, carrying 150 passengers, was waiting for medical help on Monday after authorities denied disembarkation.

The vessel was completing a weeks-long “Atlantic Odyssey” from Argentina to various South Atlantic islands. The first victim, a 70-year-old Dutch man, died near Saint Helena. His body was removed for repatriation, but his 69-year-old wife later died at a hospital in South Africa after collapsing at a Johannesburg airport. A third unidentified victim remains onboard. Additionally, a British man is critical in a South African ICU after testing positive for the virus.

Hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rodents. While the virus can cause fatal respiratory distress or haemorrhagic fever, hum­an-to-human transmissi­on is rare. The WHO is currently working with the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, to conduct a full public health risk assessment and coordinate the evacuation of two symptomatic crew members.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations,” WHO said. 

Dr Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasised on Monday the risk to the general public remains low. He noted there is no need for panic or travel restrictions as the virus is not easily transmitted between people.

South African health officials are conducting contact tracing in Johannesburg to ensure no further exposure occurred during the transit of the deceased Dutch passenger. Meanwhile, the ship remains in the Atlantic as officials decide whether to allow the transfer of the sick crew mem­bers to medical facilities in Cape Verde. The MV Hondius travels with a doctor and 71 crew members.

–Agencies