WHO confirms 6 Hantavirus cases, 3 deaths linked to Spain-bound cruise ship

The WHO has confirmed a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship after eight people fell ill and three died. The agency said the wider global risk remains low, though the onboard risk is moderate.

In Short

• Six cases were PCR-confirmed as Andes virus, with two probable infections
• Three deaths have been reported, while four patients remain hospitalised abroad
• The outbreak emerged after some travellers had already left the vessel

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday confirmed a hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, with eight people falling ill and three deaths reported so far. The agency said six of the infections have been laboratory-confirmed as Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, while two other cases are considered probable.

According to the WHO, the confirmed infections were identified through PCR testing. The outbreak was first reported on May 2 when the vessel had 147 passengers and crew members on board. Authorities said another 34 individuals had already left the ship before the outbreak came to light.

The cruise ship departed from Cabo Verde on May 6 and is currently heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers are expected to disembark. Health authorities are continuing to monitor passengers and crew as the vessel proceeds on its route.

Of the infected individuals, four remain hospitalised in South Africa, Netherlands and Switzerland. Another suspected patient who was transferred to Germany later tested negative for the virus, the WHO added.

The UN health agency assessed the risk to the wider global population as low, but described the risk to passengers and crew on the ship as moderate due to the confined environment and close contact among travelers. Investigators believe the first patient may have contracted the infection before boarding the cruise ship, possibly while travelling in Argentina and Chile. Subsequent transmission is believed to have occurred on board the vessel.

Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents, their urine, droppings or saliva. The Andes virus strain is of particular concern because it is one of the few hantaviruses known to spread from person to person in limited circumstances. Symptoms can initially resemble flu-like illness, including fever, muscle aches and fatigue, but severe infections may lead to respiratory complications and death.

The WHO said it is working with national authorities to trace contacts, monitor exposed individuals and strengthen surveillance linked to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump on Friday said the hantavirus situation “seems to be okay” and noted that the virus does not appear to spread easily.

“It seems to be okay. Not easy to pass on, so we hope that’s true,” Trump told reporters.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters