Three people have died after a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. The outbreak has prompted a World Health Organisation investigation into five additional suspected infections.
The operator of the MV Hondius reported that a Dutch couple and a German national had died. A 69-year-old UK national is in intensive care in South Africa due to hantavirus. The ship was carrying about 150 tourists when the outbreak occurred.
The MV Hondius departed from Argentina three weeks ago for a voyage that included stops in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. Hantaviruses are primarily found in rodents and can infect humans through contact with infected rodent faeces, urine, and saliva.
According to experts, hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure. Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam noted that these infections are often associated with contact with rodent reservoirs. Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is rare, but the disease can cause severe respiratory illness.
Dr Yomani Sarathkumara stated that hantavirus infections were “really rare in humans.” However, public health action is necessary to address this outbreak. Epidemiological investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection.
The causes of the deaths of the other passengers are being investigated. Officials have not confirmed the exact cause of their deaths yet.