Two patients infected with hantavirus, along with one suspected case, were evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius near Cape Verde, as reported by the United Nations. The ship, carrying approximately 150 passengers, is en route to Spain’s Canary Islands with those still on board isolated in their cabins.
The evacuation followed reports of three deaths associated with the outbreak, which has seen eight confirmed cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the virus’s typical transmission involves contaminated rodent droppings, with rare person-to-person transmission. Notably, two Dutch nationals and a German were among the infected, with two in serious condition.
Health authorities are tracing individuals who may have interacted with disembarked passengers, as the ship had traveled from South America, stopping at various remote locations. Investigations suggest that the Dutch couple may have contracted the virus while bird-watching near a landfill in Ushuaia, Argentina.
WHO officials declared the public risk remains low, noting that symptoms in current passengers are nonexistent. Nevertheless, regional leaders expressed concern over potential community health risks. The infection’s incubation period ranges from one to six weeks, complicating ongoing surveillance and contact tracing efforts.
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