WHO Says Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak Is Not a New Pandemic

Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Sparks Global Health Concerns, WHO Says Pandemic Risk Remains Low

The World Health Organization has reassured the public that the recent hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius is not the beginning of another global pandemic. Health officials are currently tracing passengers and crew members across several countries after multiple suspected and confirmed cases of hantavirus were identified on board the luxury expedition vessel. While concerns have grown because of rare human-to-human transmission, the WHO says the public health risk remains low.

WHO Says Situation Is Different From Covid-19

During a media briefing, infectious disease epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove explained that hantavirus spreads very differently compared to Covid-19 or influenza. According to WHO officials, the virus involved in this outbreak is believed to be the Andes strain of hantavirus, one of the few known variants capable of spreading between humans through close and prolonged contact. “This is not Covid,” van Kerkhove said, stressing that the virus does not spread easily through casual contact or airborne transmission in the same way coronavirus did. The WHO confirmed that five out of eight suspected cases have tested positive so far. Three deaths have also been reported, including a 69-year-old Dutch woman who later died in South Africa after leaving the ship.

Cruise Journey Turned Into International Health Investigation

The outbreak began aboard the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel started its journey on 1 April from Ushuaia and is scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands on 10 May. Around 150 passengers and crew members from 28 countries were initially on board. Several passengers later disembarked on St Helena on 24 April, prompting authorities worldwide to begin contact tracing efforts. Health agencies in countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Germany, and Netherlands are now monitoring passengers who may have been exposed.

Rare Human Transmission Raises Concerns

Hantavirus is usually transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to contaminated droppings and urine. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, making this outbreak particularly unusual. The WHO said this is believed to be the first documented case of hantavirus transmission occurring aboard a ship. Officials stated that several infected passengers had earlier travelled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay during a bird-watching trip before boarding the cruise. Experts believe they may have encountered rodent species known to carry the virus during those travels.

Countries Respond With Isolation and Monitoring Measures

Authorities have advised passengers and close contacts to isolate and monitor symptoms because hantavirus can have an incubation period of up to six weeks. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that some British nationals who left the ship are self-isolating, while officials continue tracing others. Meanwhile, health authorities in Singapore are testing two men who travelled on the same flight as the Dutch woman who later died. The US State Department also confirmed it is monitoring several American passengers who returned home after disembarking from the ship. Spain has reportedly been discussing possible repatriation flights for British nationals once the vessel reaches the Canary Islands.

Debate Over Cruise Ship Safety Intensifies

The incident has once again raised questions about health safety on international cruise ships, especially after the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the cruise industry. Oceanwide Expeditions said the first confirmed hantavirus case was only identified on 4 May and stated that all former passengers had been contacted. The company added that it remains in close communication with global health authorities regarding quarantine and screening procedures. Despite fears online, the WHO insists there is currently no evidence suggesting the outbreak could develop into a large-scale international health emergency.

Source Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnvpzgn26edo