The World Health Organization says there is currently no evidence of a larger hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there is “no sign” of a wider hantavirus outbreak following the evacuation of passengers from the virus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship.
Speaking in Madrid, Tedros warned the situation could still change because of the virus’s long incubation period. He said more cases may appear in the coming weeks, even though the current risk of a major outbreak remains low.
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius left Tenerife on Monday and is now heading to Rotterdam after all passengers disembarked. Two flights carrying the final 28 passengers arrived in Eindhoven on Tuesday.
So far, seven hantavirus cases linked to the ship have been confirmed, while three passengers have died. Recent confirmed cases include an American and a French national who had already returned home before testing positive.
Health officials in the Netherlands also placed 12 hospital workers in quarantine after possible exposure while handling samples from an infected passenger without following strict safety protocols.
Hantavirus is commonly spread by rodents, but the Andes strain linked to the cruise outbreak can spread between humans. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties.
More than 120 passengers and crew members have now been repatriated to their home countries, while the ship is expected to undergo sanitation procedures upon arrival in the Netherlands later this week.
Health authorities say monitoring efforts will continue as countries track passengers and close contacts linked to the outbreak.
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