Authorities are intensifying efforts to track passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship due to a recent hantavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the first two individuals with the virus had traveled through South America, including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, on a bird-watching trip. They visited areas known to host the rat species associated with hantavirus.
Hantavirus Health Precautions
During a Thursday briefing, WHO’s Maria van Kerkhove emphasized the differences in transmission compared to COVID-19 and influenza. She urged everyone on board the MV Hondius to wear masks. Healthcare professionals in contact with suspected cases were advised to use higher levels of personal protective equipment.
Low Public Health Risk, Says WHO
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus assessed the overall public health risk as low. However, he acknowledged the potential for additional cases due to the disease’s incubation period, which can last up to six weeks. As such, health officials are on alert for any further symptoms among passengers.
Passenger Disembarkation Details
- 29 passengers of at least 12 nationalities disembarked in St Helena.
- The Dutch government reported 40 individuals disembarked, including a Swiss national diagnosed with hantavirus.
- Among the passengers were 7 British nationals, with 2 currently self-isolating in the UK.
- 4 individuals remain in St Helena while one Briton is being traced.
St Helena: The Remote Island
St Helena, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, is known for its isolation. The island spans 47 square miles (127 square kilometers) and has a population of approximately 4,400, relying on just one hospital for medical care. This island is where a Dutch woman, a hantavirus case who later passed away in South Africa, disembarked.
As investigations continue, health authorities are working closely with local and international agencies to manage the situation effectively.
