The World Health Organization has confirmed that the virus that has spread on a cruise ship named ‘M.V. Hondius’ sailing in the Atlantic Ocean is Hantavirus.
Seven people on board the MV Hondius, which set sail from Argentina on April 1, have been infected with the virus, one of whom is in critical condition.
The virus is believed to have been brought to the island by a Dutch couple who went bird watching in Ushuaia, Argentina. Authorities suspect that the couple contracted the disease from infected rats at a garbage dump in the area. The nature of Hantavirus is that the virus is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, feces or saliva of rats.
‘M.V. The virus that is spreading on the Hondius ship has been identified as the ‘Andean variant’, which is common in Argentina and Chile. This is the only variant of the hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person. The mortality rate of those infected with this virus is as high as 40%.
Current situation The ship has now been allowed to sail to the Canary Islands, and those who are sick have been taken ashore in Cape Verde and sent to the Netherlands for further treatment. There are 149 people on board, including passengers and crew, and those who are not showing symptoms will be sent to their countries after disembarking the ship.
World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that the risk to the world is currently minimal as this virus is not spreading as quickly as COVID-19.