Canberra, May 28 (IANS). The quarantine period of six cruise passengers living in Western Australia and who traveled on the MV Hondius has been extended until June. According to health officials, this was done as a precautionary measure. According to the information, Hanta virus infection has been confirmed in some passengers on this ship, after which the monitoring period has been extended till June as a precaution.
Four Australian citizens, one permanent resident and one New Zealand citizen have been in a national quarantine center near Perth since May 15. Now their isolation period has been extended till June 23, to completely cover the possible 42-day incubation period of the virus.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the decision was taken based on advice from public health experts and the World Health Organization (WHO).
So far, the reports of all six passengers have come negative and no symptoms have been found in them, but officials say that the possibility of late symptoms cannot be completely ruled out.
The case is linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, where several cases of infection have been reported in the past. According to the latest information, the number of cases related to this outbreak has increased to 13. However, no death due to this infection has been confirmed since May 2.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that so far three people have died due to this infection, while the remaining patients are undergoing treatment and the situation is currently stable.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease, usually spread through contact with infected rodents or rats. Human-to-human spread has been seen in very few cases.
WHO has said the overall public risk is still low, but as a precaution, surveillance of all exposed travelers for 42 days is necessary.
–IANS
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