Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship contained through international cooperation
11 reported
A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has been contained, with 13 total cases among passengers and crew, according to a commentary by Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. The outbreak was first identified on 4 May when seven cases of respiratory illness on board were confirmed as the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread from human to human. The virus has a death rate approaching 30% based on recent research, and an incubation period of up to six to eight weeks. The 147 passengers and crew represented 23 nationalities, complicating the response. The Spanish government allowed the ship to dock near Tenerife and organized disembarkation and safe onward travel. The World Health Organization issued technical guidance to the 23 countries involved, and the UK Health Security Agency repatriated British nationals and organized their care. As of the article’s publication, no cases have been reported from those exposed on flights or airports before the outbreak was identified. The article notes that 21 countries have signed up to a coordinated hantavirus research programme based on studying those exposed on the ship.
What’s reported
The MV Hondius cruise ship had 147 passengers and crew.
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 incubation period is up to six to eight weeks.
Passengers and crew represented 23 nationalities.
The Spanish government allowed the ship to dock near Tenerife and organized disembarkation.
The WHO issued technical guidance to the 23 countries.
The UK Health Security Agency repatriated British nationals and organized care.
Total cases as of the article: 13, all among ship passengers.
No cases reported from flight or airport exposure.
21 countries have signed up to a coordinated hantavirus research programme.
Key figures
Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh (author of the commentary)
Spanish government (credited with allowing docking and organizing disembarkation)
World Health Organization (issued technical guidance)
UK Health Security Agency (repatriated British nationals)
Sources: The Guardian
