The World Health Organization says the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship poses a low public health risk.
The World Health Organization has said the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius is not the beginning of another global pandemic, despite confirmed cases and deaths linked to the vessel.
Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, WHO infectious disease expert Maria van Kerkhove said hantavirus spreads very differently from Covid-19 and usually requires “close, intimate contact” for transmission between humans.
So far, five of eight suspected cases on the cruise ship have been confirmed. Three people have died, including a 69-year-old Dutch woman who tested positive for the virus. Her husband and a German woman also died, while investigations into their cases continue.
The outbreak has triggered international contact tracing efforts after dozens of passengers disembarked from the ship on the remote island of Saint Helena during the voyage. Authorities in several countries are now monitoring former passengers and crew members.
According to the WHO, this outbreak is significant because human-to-human transmission may have occurred for the first time in a documented setting. Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, especially via urine, saliva or droppings.
The cruise ship began its journey in Ushuaia on 1 April and is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands soon. Health officials said passengers onboard have been advised to wear masks and follow strict safety protocols.
The WHO maintains that the overall risk to the public remains low, but monitoring and tracing operations are continuing across multiple countries.