An expedition cruise has turned into a health emergency in the Atlantic Ocean. Three people have died either on board or after being evacuated from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions. The World Health Organization is closely monitoring the situation, as a possible hantavirus outbreak is suspected.
Three deaths and six people affected
Six people are believed to have been affected by this outbreak: three have died, one is in intensive care in South Africa, and two symptomatic crew members require medical attention. At this stage, one case of hantavirus has been confirmed by laboratory testing, while five others remain suspected.
The MV Hondius is immobilized near Cape Verde
The ship had departed Ushuaia, Argentina, and was heading for Cape Verde, after a route that included stops in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. It was near Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, when the health alert was raised. Approximately 150 passengers and 70 crew members were on board.
Hantavirus, a rare but potentially deadly virus
Hantavirus is not a new virus. It belongs to a family of viruses generally transmitted to humans by infected rodents, primarily through their urine, feces, or saliva. The infection can cause serious illnesses, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Fever, fatigue, aches and pains: symptoms to watch out for
The first signs may resemble those of the flu: fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, nausea, or abdominal pain. In the most severe cases, the patient's condition can rapidly progress to coughing, difficulty breathing, and respiratory distress requiring urgent hospitalization.
The exact source of the contamination has not yet been established. Health authorities are trying to determine whether those infected were exposed to the virus on board the ship, during a port call, or in another setting. Further analyses, including virus sequencing, are underway.
Should we fear a spread?
Experts remind us that most hantaviruses are not easily transmitted from person to person. Contamination occurs primarily through exposure to rodents or dust contaminated by their droppings. Authorities are therefore urging vigilance, but not panic, while awaiting the full results of the health investigation.
