Arabic version: منظمة الصحة العالمية تؤكد أن تفشي فيروس هانتا على متن سفينة سياحية ليس جائحة
According to BBC News,
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship does not signify the onset of a pandemic. Maria van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the WHO, emphasized that hantavirus transmission requires close contact, distinguishing it from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As health authorities work to trace individuals who recently disembarked from the vessel, five of eight suspected hantavirus cases have been confirmed, leading to three fatalities, including a 69-year-old Dutch woman. The WHO noted that this outbreak marks the first documented instance of hantavirus transmission between individuals.
The luxury cruise ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its journey on 1 April from Ushuaia, Argentina, and is expected to reach the Canary Islands on 10 May. Approximately 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries were initially on board, but dozens disembarked on 24 April at St Helena. The WHO has assessed the public health risk as low, with officials advising mask-wearing on board and higher protective measures for those in contact with suspected cases.
Oceanwide Expeditions reported that 29 passengers, including seven British nationals, left the MV Hondius at St Helena. The UK Health Security Agency stated that two of the British passengers are self-isolating while others remain unaccounted for. Discussions are ongoing between Spain and the UK regarding a repatriation flight for British nationals currently on the ship, which also includes American citizens.
The first confirmed hantavirus case was reported on 4 May, and authorities are monitoring individuals who may have been in contact with affected passengers. The Dutch government is also taking steps to ensure that passengers from a flight connected to the deceased are available for monitoring. Testing of rodents in Ushuaia is underway as part of the response to this outbreak.
