A hantavirus outbreak has been confirmed on the MV Hondius cruise ship, resulting in three deaths. The vessel, which departed Ushuaia on April 1, is heading to Tenerife where passengers will begin evacuation on Monday.
The deceased Dutch couple and a German woman are among the victims. Five cases have been confirmed according to the WHO. The Andes strain, which can transmit between humans, has been identified. The first symptoms appeared before boarding, likely from rodent exposure in South America.
The ship left Cape Verde on Wednesday and is due to dock in Tenerife on Saturday. Medical flights have evacuated patients to the Netherlands and the Canaries. Argentine experts will travel to Ushuaia to analyze rodents.
The risk to global public health remains low according to the WHO director. Canary Islands authorities have expressed reservations about receiving the vessel, while contact tracing continues in South Africa and Europe.
