WHO is investigating an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Officials reported that three people have died and three others have been infected.
MV Hondius polar expedition ship / Photo: Getty Images
In a statement, the Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions reported a “serious medical situation” on board the MV Hondius polar expedition ship in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Verde, west of Africa.
Reuters publication as writtenthe ship left Argentina about three weeks ago with about 150 passengers. He stopped in Antarctica and other places on the way to Cape Verde.
The World Health Organization confirmed the hantavirus infection on the ship through laboratory analysis informed. WHO is currently investigating the outbreak. The agency said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of hantavirus in one in six people.
Three of the six infected people have died, and one patient remains in intensive care at a hospital in South Africa. Two of the deceased were citizens of the Netherlands, and the patient being treated in South Africa was a British citizen.
“WHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and ship operators for the medical evacuation of the two passengers with symptoms of illness, as well as a full public health risk assessment and assistance for the remaining passengers on board.” it is said in the message of the organization.
According to the company “Oceanwide Expeditions”, the authorities of Cape Verde did not allow passengers in need of medical assistance to go ashore. The Dutch government is trying to repatriate the two passengers with symptoms and the body of the deceased passenger.
According to DW, JAR authorities are looking for a chain of contacts with infected passengers in Johannesburg.
What kind of disease is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus can be transmitted by airborne transmission of rodent droppings and urine, such as when mice are cleaned. According to the WHO, in rare cases, the virus can also be transmitted from person to person.
The disease begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to heart and lung failure. About 40 percent of cases are fatal, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.
There are no specific drugs to treat hantavirus. Therefore, treatments are focused on supportive therapy, including connecting patients to ventilators in severe cases.
The British Foreign Office and the South African Department of Health have not yet commented on the situation.
