Three passengers died from hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise that departed Ushuaia for Cabo Verde. Two people with symptoms remain on board as authorities negotiate their evacuation. The WHO is coordinating measures and praises the rapid response.
The MV Hondius cruise, covering the route from Ushuaia to Praia port in Cabo Verde, recorded the deaths of three passengers due to a possible hantavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported this Sunday a confirmed hantavirus case and five people under suspicion. The deceased, aged 65 to 72, had no prior pathologies.
Two passengers with compatible symptoms remain on board. Ship authorities and those from involved countries are negotiating an evacuation, according to TN. The WHO is "facilitating the coordination" between countries and operators to "organize the evacuation of two passengers with symptoms," and praised "the rapidity of the measures taken and the good coordination between the parties involved."
Hantavirus, transmitted by rodents like the long-tailed colilargo mouse, spreads through inhalation of aerosols from their saliva, urine, or feces. It triggered Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) with a lethality rate near 30% in the region. Argentina's health system notified the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for protocols at subsequent ports.
The WHO stated that "in-depth investigations are being conducted, especially additional laboratory analyses and epidemiological investigations. Passengers and crew are receiving medical attention. Virus sequencing is also underway."
