It is suspected that three people died and at least three more fell ill from hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced yesterday. WHO representatives stated in a statement to AP that an investigation is underway, but that at least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed.
Hantavirus, which appears worldwide, is spread by contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, most often rats or mice. Although rare, according to the WHO, this virus can spread between people and can lead to severe respiratory disease. There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention can increase the chances of survival.
One of the patients is in intensive care at a hospital in South Africa, the UN health agency said, adding that it was working with authorities to evacuate two more passengers with symptoms of the virus from the ship. The WHO said a detailed investigation is underway, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations, assistance is being provided to passengers and crew, and virus sequencing is being carried out.
The WHO did not identify the ship, but South African media reported that the outbreak occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which is sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde off the West African coast. MarineTraffic, a world shipping portal, identified it as a Danish-flagged cruiser. It was located Sunday evening anchored in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.
South African media reported, citing a spokesperson for the South African Department of Health, that the first victim, an elderly man, died on board. His wife later died in a South African hospital.
Hantavirus previously hit the news last year when American actor Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa died of the infection at their home in New Mexico. Hackman died seven days later, also at home.
(TIP/Source: federalna.ba/Beta/Photo: Archive)
