Possible Human Transmission of Hantavirus on Cruise Ship
The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that there may have been human-to-human transmission of hantavirus aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where three passengers have died.
Typically, hantavirus is transmitted from rodents, but the WHO suggested that in this case, the virus could have spread among "really close contacts" onboard the vessel. The organization emphasized that such transmission is rare and the risk to the general public remains low.
"Some people on the ship were couples, they were sharing rooms, so that's quite intimate contact," WHO official Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said.
Two of the deceased passengers were a Dutch married couple, with the wife confirmed to have contracted the virus. Another passenger, a 69-year-old UK national evacuated to South Africa for medical treatment, is also confirmed to have the virus.
Hantavirus infection has not been confirmed in the Dutch woman's husband or the other deceased passenger, a German national who died on 2 May.
Testing is ongoing for other passengers and crew members exhibiting symptoms.
The MV Hondius departed from Argentina approximately one month ago to begin its Atlantic Ocean voyage and is currently anchored near Cape Verde, off Africa's west coast.
The WHO suspects the initial infected individual may have contracted the virus prior to boarding the ship, according to Van Kerkhove.
Investigations are proceeding on the assumption that the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is endemic in South America where the cruise originated, has been identified in the two confirmed cases.
The organization was informed there were no rats aboard the ship, Van Kerkhove stated, reiterating that hantavirus transmission between humans is uncommon and the broader public risk is low.
Disinfection procedures are underway on the vessel, and those showing symptoms or caring for patients are using full personal protective equipment.
"Our working hypothesis is that there's probably a couple of different types of transmission that might be happening," Van Kerkhove told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday.
She noted the cruise had visited multiple islands, some of which have rodents that typically spread the virus through their feces, saliva, or urine.
The WHO's primary concern remains the treatment of two crew members, of Dutch and British nationality, who are onboard with respiratory symptoms. They are scheduled for medical evacuation to the Netherlands by aircraft, alongside an individual associated with the deceased German passenger, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator.
No other individuals aboard have exhibited symptoms, the WHO reports.
Approximately 149 people from 23 countries remain on the ship under "strict precautionary measures," Oceanwide Expeditions stated.
The vessel was scheduled to dock in Cape Verde on Tuesday, but local authorities have prohibited passengers from disembarking due to safety concerns.
The WHO has indicated that Spain has authorized the ship to dock in the Canary Islands for risk assessment and further medical monitoring.
However, Spain's health ministry has downplayed speculation about accepting the ship, stating:
"Depending on epidemiological data gathered from the boat as it travels past Cape Verde, the most appropriate next stop for it will be decided. Until then, the health ministry will not take a decision, as we have explained to the WHO."
A spokesman for Spain's health ministry told the BBC that no request for the ship to stop at the Canary Islands has yet been received. Nonetheless, Spanish authorities are prepared to manage the situation if required, including providing medical care, analysis, and disinfection.
It remains unclear whether passengers would be permitted to disembark.
Despite the restrictions, one passenger told the BBC on Monday that the atmosphere on board was "pretty good."
"Hopefully the other patients on board will be tested soon and then we'll know what's going on," the passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Another passenger, travel vlogger Jake Rosmarin, posted on social media:
"There's a lot of uncertainty, and that's the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home."
