The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 11 confirmed cases, with three deaths reported among passengers and crew members. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, there is no sign of a larger outbreak, but more cases may emerge due to the virus's long incubation period.
Key Takeaways
A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 11 confirmed cases, including three deaths among passengers. The Andes strain of hantavirus was identified as the cause, which can spread between people in rare cases.
- Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius grows to 11 cases with three deaths reported
- French woman critically ill and treated with an artificial lung at Bichat Hospital in Paris
- WHO confirms no sign of a larger outbreak but more cases may emerge due to the virus's long incubation period
- Spanish passenger tests positive after evacuation from the ship
- Argentine health ministry investigating origin of outbreak, suggesting exposure during bird-watching tour
A French woman infected in the outbreak remains critically ill and is being treated with an artificial lung at Bichat Hospital in Paris. Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist, described her condition as severe, causing life-threatening lung and heart problems. The latest person confirmed to be infected is a Spanish passenger who tested positive after being evacuated from the ship and placed in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid.
The outbreak has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread between people in rare cases. Argentina's health ministry announced that a team of scientific experts will investigate the origin of the outbreak. A Dutch couple, identified as the first cruise passengers infected with hantavirus, spent several months in Argentina and neighboring South American countries before boarding the ship. Argentine officials suggested they may have been exposed to rodents carrying the infection during a bird-watching tour.
The MV Hondius had about 150 people of 23 nationalities on board when the outbreak began. The last passengers were flown to the Netherlands as new cases emerged, and the ship is now sailing back for cleaning and disinfection. Health authorities continue to stress that the risk to the broader public remains low.
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