Three people have died and nearly 150 passengers and crew remain quarantined on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently off the coast of West Africa, as the World Health Organization (WHO) investigates an outbreak of hantavirus, a rare but potentially fatal virus. Authorities also announced that a passenger who had already disembarked from the ship tested positive for hantavirus after returning home to Europe, indicating the outbreak has spread beyond the vessel.
The WHO stated that it suspects the virus, which is typically transmitted to humans through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, may have spread via human-to-human contact in this instance. Hantavirus is not commonly known to spread between people, making this outbreak unusual.
The MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship, has been marooned for days off the coast of Cape Verde. According to reports, the vessel was due to head to Spain. South Africa's role in the situation was not immediately clear from available reports.
The outbreak has prompted quarantine measures for those on board while health authorities work to contain the situation. The WHO is investigating the source and transmission patterns.
A passenger who had left the ship before the quarantine was imposed later tested positive in Europe, according to an update from authorities. This development suggests that the virus may have been carried off the ship by individuals who were asymptomatic or had not yet shown symptoms at the time of departure.
The hantavirus family includes several strains, some of which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, both serious conditions. The specific strain involved in this outbreak has not been disclosed.
The ship's operator and local health agencies are coordinating with international health bodies. Further details about the nationalities of those affected or the itinerary of the ship were not immediately available.
The situation remains under investigation, and the WHO has not yet released a full report on the outbreak's origin or the extent of human-to-human transmission.
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