Amid concerns of a potential pandemic, a top official from the World Health Organization (WHO) issues a warning regarding the hantavirus, a rat-borne virus that has caused alarm on a cruise ship.
The MV Hondius cruise ship, departing from Argentina en route to Cape Verde, West Africa, reported multiple passengers falling ill in early April, with three fatalities recorded so far.
Following laboratory tests, there are now three confirmed cases and eight suspected hantavirus infections among the passengers, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory issues.
In response to fears of further spread, the WHO seeks to reassure the public, emphasizing that this outbreak does not pose a similar threat to previous pandemics like COVID-19. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove highlighted the distinction, stating that hantavirus has been known for some time and is not comparable to the current coronavirus situation.
Regarding British nationals on board, WHO confirmed that seven passengers disembarked at St Helena on April 24, with two self-isolating in the UK and others still awaiting return. Efforts are being made to provide guidance and support to those affected.
The initial hantavirus cases were linked to passengers who visited regions in South America known to host rats carrying the virus. WHO is collaborating with authorities in Argentina to track the movements of these individuals to mitigate the risk of further transmission.
Despite the concerning situation, WHO maintains that the likelihood of widespread transmission remains low as the cruise ship heads towards the Canary Islands.
