Geneva, May 4 (IANS). Three people have died following an outbreak of suspected ‘Hantavirus’ on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This information was given by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday.
The ship named ‘MV Hondius’ was going from Argentina to Cape Verde, with about 150 passengers on board. During this period, one case of a dangerous rare disease has been confirmed and five other suspected cases have been reported.
WHO said that it is keeping an eye on this incident and is also helping. A total of six people are suspected to be infected, three of whom have died and one person is admitted in ICU in South Africa.
WHO said on ‘X’, “We are aware of and providing assistance to this incident involving a cruise ship operating in the Atlantic Ocean. So far, one ‘Hantavirus’ case has been confirmed in the lab and five others are suspected. Of these six people, three have died and one is in critical condition.”
The organization also said that the investigation is still ongoing. The patients are undergoing treatment and the virus is also being tested (sequencing) so that more information can be obtained about it.
‘Hantavirus’ is usually spread from rats or other rodents to humans, especially through contact with their urine or feces. It can cause severe respiratory illness and, in rare cases, can spread from person to person.
This disease is considered quite serious and the patient needs close monitoring and proper treatment.
The outbreak has surfaced on a polar cruise ship named ‘MV Hondius’, which is run by ‘Oceanwide Expeditions’ company. The ship started its journey from Ushuaia, Argentina on March 20 and was scheduled to reach Cape Verde on May 4.
The length of this ship is approximately 107.6 meters and it can accommodate up to 170 passengers. Apart from this, it also has 57 crew members, 13 guides and a doctor.
The sick people also include a 69-year-old British citizen, who is currently admitted in the ICU in Johannesburg (South Africa).
WHO said it was working with individual countries and the ship’s operator to immediately relocate the two ill passengers for medical help and to assess the risk to other passengers.
WHO also said that it has informed the concerned countries about the matter and will soon release a detailed report on it.
–IANS
AY/ABM