According to the World Health Organization, there may have been rare human-to-human transmission of hantavirus aboard the Dutch cruise ship that killed three guests. The virus is typically transmitted by rodents, but the WHO believes it may have spread among “really close contacts” aboard the MV Hondius vessel. It emphasized that the risk to the public was low.
Two crew members, one British and one Dutch, are scheduled to be medically evacuated to the Netherlands by aircraft after exhibiting “acute respiratory symptoms,” according to the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions. A person close to a deceased German national will also be evacuated.
The MV Hondius set off from Argentina for its journey across the Atlantic Ocean almost a month ago. It is now anchored at Cape Verde, off Africa’s west coast. Cape Verdean medical professionals, assisted by the WHO, have boarded the ship to assist with the suspected cases, according to spokesperson Tarik Yasarevic. Other passengers and staff members who exhibit symptoms are still being tested.
According to Oceanwide, 149 passengers from 23 nations remain on board under “strict precautionary measures”. Aside from the staff member to be evacuated, there are 22 other British nationals on board. We suspect there may be some human-to-human transmission among very close contacts,” WHO official Dr Maria Van Kerkhove stated.
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