BBC
The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified that the recent hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship does not signify the onset of a pandemic. Maria van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the WHO, emphasized during a news briefing that the transmission dynamics of hantavirus differ significantly from those of COVID-19, as hantavirus requires "close, intimate contact" for spread.
Health officials are actively working to trace the contacts of several individuals who recently disembarked from the Dutch cruise liner. As of Thursday, the WHO reported that out of eight suspected hantavirus cases, five have been confirmed, resulting in three fatalities, including a 69-year-old Dutch woman who had contracted the virus.
Additionally, her husband, a Dutch national, and a German woman have also died, with their cases under investigation.
Traditionally, hantavirus is spread through contact with infected rodents. However, this outbreak marks the first recorded instance of human-to-human transmission, as noted by the WHO.
The luxury cruise, managed by Oceanwide Expeditions, commenced its voyage on April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina, and is scheduled to dock in the Canary Islands on May 10. Initially, approximately 150 passengers and crew members from 28 different countries were aboard the vessel, with several disembarking on St Helena Island on April 24.
During the briefing, van Kerkhove reiterated, "this is not Covid, this is not influenza; it spreads very, very differently." She advised that all passengers on the MV Hondius should wear masks, and those caring for or in close contact with suspected cases should utilize a higher level of personal protective equipment.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus disclosed that the organization perceives the public health risk from this outbreak as low. He mentioned that the first two confirmed cases had traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay for a bird-watching expedition that included visits to locations inhabited by the rodent species known to carry the virus.
Dr. Tedros also indicated awareness of additional reports of individuals exhibiting symptoms who may have been in contact with passengers, confirming that officials are coordinating with the pertinent health authorities. Given the incubation period for hantavirus—which can extend up to six weeks—more cases may be identified in the coming days.
On the same day, Oceanwide Expeditions stated that 29 passengers of various nationalities had disembarked the MV Hondius in St Helena. This included the body of a Dutch man who was among the deceased. Seven of those who exited the vessel were British nationals, with two currently self-isolating in the UK, while others have yet to return. Efforts are ongoing to locate one individual, who has not returned to the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Spain announced that discussions regarding a repatriation flight for British nationals to Tenerife are progressing. Virginia Barcones, head of Spain’s civil protection and emergencies, noted that 19 British passengers and four crew members remain on board the ship, along with four Americans, with the US government expressing willingness to arrange a flight for its citizens.
Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that the first case of hantavirus was not reported until May 4 and that all guests who disembarked from the ship have been contacted. The company is maintaining close dialogue with health authorities about the arrival, quarantine, and screening processes for all passengers.
The Dutch government reported that the ship had made a stop at St Helena en route to Cape Verde, highlighting that the Dutch woman who left the cruise on April 24 traveled to South Africa, where she passed away two days later. Her husband died on board the vessel on April 11, though he is not a confirmed hantavirus case.
The Dutch woman's journey included a flight on KLM from Johannesburg to the Netherlands, during which she reportedly fell ill before departure. Dutch authorities are contacting passengers from that flight, requesting they remain available for health monitoring.
At least 29 passengers disembarked the MV Hondius at St Helena last month. The third fatality, a German woman, passed away on the ship on May 2 but is also not a confirmed hantavirus case, and her body remains aboard the vessel. Three additional individuals—British, Dutch, and German nationals—were evacuated from the ship on Wednesday.
In Singapore, the Communicable Diseases Agency is isolating and testing two men, a 67-year-old Singaporean and a 65-year-old permanent resident, who had disembarked the ship in St Helena. They had also traveled on the same flight to Johannesburg as the deceased Dutch woman, and their test results for hantavirus are pending.
Health departments in Georgia and Arizona have confirmed they are monitoring three passengers who returned to the US after leaving the ship, although none are presenting symptoms. The US Department of State is in direct communication with affected passengers, and Argentina's health ministry has announced plans to test local rodent populations in Ushuaia.
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