At least three people have died, and one is critical after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. Testing is underway, with at least five more cases of infection suspected.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed one case of hantavirus and five others are suspected. Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations.
Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing, according to the WHO.
The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde in Africa. The cruise vessel has anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, but due to the outbreak, it has not allowed anyone to disembark.
Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organising the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board MV Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands.
Hantavirus is a strain of virus carried by rodents and transmitted to humans through inhalation of particles from dried rodent droppings. Infections occur when the virus becomes airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva.
The virus is known to cause two severe illnesses - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). There is no specific therapy for hantavirus infection, hence treatment usually focuses on supportive care, including rest and fluids.
