Hantavirus Cases From Cruise Rise to 13

The number of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship outbreak has increased to 13, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The latest case was reported in Spain among passengers who are in quarantine, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 13.

The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the update on social media platform X. He noted that there have been three deaths associated with the outbreak, but no new fatalities since May 2. The situation remains stable, with sick passengers receiving necessary care and others continuing to be quarantined.

According to multiple reports, all remaining passengers, crew members, and medical staff have disembarked from the MV Hondius luxury liner in the last two weeks. The ship was at the center of the outbreak, which was first reported to the WHO on May 2. Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that can infect people and cause illness, with an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 human cases globally each year, according to the WHO.

In a separate development reported by Reuters, a Spanish national in quarantine at a Madrid military hospital tested positive for hantavirus. This individual was among those evacuated from the MV Hondius earlier this month. The case was confirmed after the patient was taken to an isolation unit at Gómez Ulla Hospital. Spain's Health Ministry emphasized that this detection does not modify the risk situation for the overall population.