Hantavirus outbreak contained after cruise ship isolation ends
10 reported
Passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, where a hantavirus outbreak first occurred, finished their isolation periods this past Sunday, marking a public health success story. The outbreak involved the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread from human to human and has a death rate approaching 30%. A total of 13 cases were reported, all among passengers who traveled on the ship. The Spanish government allowed the ship to dock near Tenerife and organized disembarkation and safe onward journeys. The WHO issued technical guidance to the 23 countries with passengers, and the UK Health Security Agency repatriated British nationals. No cases were reported from those exposed on flights or airports before the outbreak was identified.
What’s reported
Passengers from the MV Hondius finished isolation periods this past Sunday.
On 4 May, seven cases of respiratory illness were identified as the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Hantavirus has a death rate approaching 30% based on recent research.
The outbreak involved 147 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities.
A total of 13 cases were reported, 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.
No cases were seen from those exposed on flights or airports before the outbreak was identified.
21 countries have signed up to a coordinated hantavirus research programme based on studying those exposed on the ship.
Key figures
Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh (author of the article)
Sources: The Guardian
