WHO Coordinates Response to Suspected Outbreak
United Nations Information Service Director Maria Van Kerkhove said in Geneva on Tuesday that the World Health Organisation was coordinating an international response after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship left three people dead.
“WHO is working closely with authorities in Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the ship’s operators to coordinate actions to ensure the safety and health of all people on board, while also limiting further spread,” Maria Van Kerkhove said.
“The plan is, and our highest priority is, to medically evacuate the two individuals to make sure that they receive the care that they need,” she added.
Cases Confirmed and Evacuations Planned
WHO said seven confirmed or suspected cases had been identified on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, including three deaths. One person was critically ill, while three others had mild symptoms.
The evacuation plan was updated on Tuesday, with the remaining sick crew members expected to be flown to the Netherlands for treatment.
The MV Hondius has been held off Cabo Verde after authorities refused to let it dock over public health concerns. The ship had been carrying around 150 people on a nature expedition that began in southern Argentina in March.
Transmission Concerns and Ongoing Monitoring
Health officials say hantavirus is usually spread through contact with infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is rare, although WHO said it could not be ruled out in this case because some of those infected had been in close contact.
“Regardless of which virus it actually is, we do know that some of the cases have had very close contact with each other, and certainly human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out,” Maria Van Kerkhove explained.
Spain is reviewing information from Cabo Verde as authorities consider whether the vessel can dock in the Canary Islands for further investigation.
Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, and severe cases can lead to respiratory failure or haemorrhagic fever. Officials said the risk to the wider public remains low.
