The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported eight cases of hantavirus infection among passengers of the cruise ship MV Hondius. As of 6 May, five cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus, and three people have died.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE OUTBREAK
According to the WHO, this involves the Andes virus — the only known hantavirus that allows for limited human-to-human transmission. The organisation clarified that infection usually occurs through close and prolonged contact.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the organisation considers the situation serious, but the global public health risk remains low. He wrote this in his account on the social network X.
"Based on current information, WHO assesses the risk to the global population as low and will continue to monitor the situation and update data," the statement reads.
Separately, the authorities of Switzerland confirmed a case of infection in a passenger from the ship, who went to a hospital in Zurich. The patient is receiving medical care in one of the city's hospitals.
WHAT MEASURES IS WHO TAKING
WHO reported that it is working with several countries under the International Health Regulations. The organisation is coordinating the international tracing of contacts among passengers and crew to limit the possible spread of the infection.
A WHO specialist has already been sent to the vessel to conduct medical examinations of passengers and crew, as well as to assess the risk of further virus transmission.
In addition, the organisation has sent 2,500 diagnostic tests from Argentina to laboratories in five countries to strengthen capacity for detecting the infection.
WHO is also developing recommendations for the safe disembarkation of passengers and the subsequent movement of the crew.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES THE VIRUS CAUSE
The incubation period for hantavirus infection ranges from one to eight weeks. The main symptoms include:
- high fever;
- headache and muscle pain;
- nausea and abdominal pain;
- vomiting.
In severe forms of the disease, cough, shortness of breath, fluid accumulation in the lungs, shock, internal bleeding, and kidney failure may develop.
WHY THE SITUATION IS ATTRACTING EXPERTS' ATTENTION
WHO emphasises that there is currently no specific treatment or licensed vaccine against hantavirus. The organisation notes that early medical care and intensive therapy remain the primary ways to improve survival chances in severe cases of the illness.
As a preventive measure, WHO recommends minimising contact with rodents, storing food in sealed containers, performing wet disinfection of contaminated surfaces, and thoroughly washing hands.