Hantavirus outbreak contained on cruise ship, public health officials say
10 reported
A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has been contained, according to a commentary by a global public health professor. The outbreak, first identified on May 4, involved the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread from human to human. Of the 147 passengers and crew, 13 cases were reported, all among those who traveled on the ship. The containment is attributed to actions by the Spanish government, the World Health Organization, and the UK Health Security Agency. Passengers from the ship are expected to finish their isolation periods next Monday. The author notes that no cases have been linked to exposure on flights or airports before the outbreak was identified.
What’s reported
The MV Hondius cruise ship had 147 passengers and crew.
On May 4, seven cases of respiratory illness were identified as the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Hantavirus has a death rate approaching 30% based on recent research, according to the article.
The incubation period of the virus is up to six to eight weeks.
People involved came from 23 nationalities.
As of the article's publication, there were 13 total cases, all in passengers who traveled on the ship.
The Spanish government allowed the ship to dock near Tenerife and organized disembarkation.
The WHO issued technical guidance to the 23 countries with passengers.
The UK Health Security Agency repatriated British nationals and organized their care.
21 countries have signed up to a coordinated hantavirus research program based on those exposed on the ship.
Key figures
Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh (author of the commentary)
Spanish government (credited with leading the response)
World Health Organization (issued technical guidance)
UK Health Security Agency (repatriated British nationals)
Sources: The Guardian
