An outbreak of suspected hantavirus has occurred aboard a cruise ship where three passengers have died, with health officials identifying the specific strain involved. Hantavirus, a rare disease that can transmit from rodents to humans, is believed by the World Health Organization to have spread among individuals in close contact. Approximately 150 individuals are currently stranded on the MV Hondius luxury liner off the West African coast, where three passengers, including an elderly couple, have succumbed to the disease, with one testing positive for hantavirus.
The health ministry of South Africa has disclosed that the two confirmed cases are linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, with health authorities disseminating information and advice on this rare yet potentially fatal illness. Hantavirus can lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a condition affecting the heart and lungs with a high mortality rate, as noted by the NHS, with the Andes strain being one of the variants capable of causing HCPS.
Initial symptoms of the Andes virus may manifest as flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal issues, while respiratory symptoms may develop later as the illness progresses. Severe complications, including respiratory failure, shock, and hemorrhage, can arise as the disease advances. Symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure to the Andes virus, with the illness typically developing within two to four weeks post-exposure.
Hantavirus transmission from animals to humans can occur through contact with infected rodents and their excretions, saliva, or urine, including inhalation of contaminated particles and direct contact with infected materials. The Andes variant can spread among humans through close contact with an infected individual, often within families. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus or its Andes strain, with medical care focusing on supportive therapy to address respiratory, cardiac, and renal complications. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in managing the disease, according to the WHO.
The Andes variant of hantavirus originates from infected rodents in South America, primarily reported in countries like Argentina and Chile. The deceased 70-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife had traveled through South America, including Argentina, before embarking on the cruise ship. The MV Hondius, initially bound for the Canary Islands, faced docking refusals from both Cape Verde and the Spanish island group, with three patients evacuated from the liner for medical care in the Netherlands, as stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus.
