Passengers from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius began disembarking in the Canary Islands after a hantavirus outbreak. So far, nine people have been confirmed or suspected to have the virus, including three fatalities: a Dutch couple and a German woman.
Almost 150 people from over 15 countries, including 17 Americans, were on board. The ship had sailed from Cape Verde and docked at Granadilla, Tenerife. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator, arranged a careful evacuation plan. Spanish passengers were first to leave, followed by groups headed to various destinations like Canada, the U.S., and Australia. No health screenings were conducted on land.
After passengers disembark, a minimal crew will restock supplies for a five-day trip back to Rotterdam. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sending a team to assess the situation and monitor American passengers as they return home.
In a medical repatriation effort, American passengers will fly back to the U.S. in a special plane and land at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Each passenger will quarantine for an undetermined amount of time at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has a special biocontainment unit.
Hantaviruses are transmitted to humans from rodents through contact with their droppings, urine, or saliva. While the CDC indicated that the public risk is low, it’s essential to understand the nature of the virus. The only known strain transmitting between humans is the Andes strain, primarily found in Latin America.
Interestingly, the initial victims had a history of traveling in South America. The Dutch couple had spent weeks in areas where the Andes virus-carrying rodents live. The man showed symptoms upon returning to the ship and later died, leading to the outbreak investigation.
As of recent data, the CDC and WHO have stated that hantavirus is not easy to contract unless there is close contact with an infected person. Public health experts assess the situation as managed, although the source of the outbreak remains under investigation.
Recent reports show that a handful of affected individuals have been treated in various locations, including the Netherlands and South Africa. Health authorities in multiple U.S. states are monitoring anyone who potentially had contact with the ship following its journey through various islands in the South Atlantic.
Given the situation’s seriousness, organizations like the WHO are actively involved in response efforts, maintaining transparency about risks and preventive measures. Continued study and monitoring are crucial for understanding hantavirus and preventing future outbreaks.
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Cruise Ship, Spain, Hantavirus
