Three suspected hantavirus cases to be evacuated soon from cruise ship via Cape Verde
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Three suspected hantavirus cases on a stricken cruise ship off Cape Verde are set for evacuation as WHO investigates a deadly outbreak linked to the voyage.
Three suspected hantavirus cases aboard a stricken cruise ship off Cape Verde will be evacuated shortly via the west African island nation, a World Health Organization official told AFP on Tuesday.
Read more: WHO says two hantavirus cases confirmed, five suspected on cruise ship
Once the two symptomatic hantavirus sufferers and a close contact with no symptoms have been successfully evacuated, the MV Hondius "can continue its route", either to Spain's Canary Islands or the Netherlands, the UN health agency's Cape Verde representative, Ann Lindstrand, told AFP.
A Trail of Illness Across the Atlantic
The vessel, carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 different nationalities, began its journey in Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April. The itinerary took travelers through some of the world’s most remote regions, including Antarctica, South Georgia, and Tristan da Cunha.
The first sign of trouble appeared on 6 April, when an adult male (Case 1) developed fever and gastrointestinal distress. His condition rapidly deteriorated into respiratory failure, and he passed away on board five days later. The tragedy followed the ship to shore when a close contact of the first victim died upon arrival at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 26 April.
WHO Confirms Hantavirus Infection
While Hantavirus is typically contracted through contact with infected rodent droppings or saliva, the WHO is investigating the specific strain involved.
"Human hantavirus infection is a rare but severe disease that can be deadly," the WHO stated. "Although uncommon, limited human-to-human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of Andes virus."
