Human-to-human transmission suspected in deadly hantavirus outbreak

A concerning outbreak of hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to suspect human-to-human transmission, a rare occurrence for this typically rodent-borne disease. The virus is believed to have caused the deaths of three individuals – a Dutch couple and a German national – among the passengers on a luxury voyage that originated in Argentina and included stops in remote Antarctic regions.

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The risk to the wider public was low from a disease typically spread from infected rodents that only rarely passes between humans.

The ship, carrying around 150 passengers, mostly from the UK, US, and Spain, is currently facing a health crisis. A British national has been evacuated and is receiving intensive care in South Africa. The WHO's update highlights that while the risk to the general public remains low, the situation onboard requires careful management. Passengers have been instructed to stay in their cabins as a precautionary measure, given the virus's incubation period can extend for several weeks.

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Public at low risk, WHO says

Investigations are actively underway to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. The WHO notes that limited human-to-human transmission of certain hantavirus species, like the Andes virus found in South America, has been documented in cases involving close and prolonged contact. The cruise, marketed as an Antarctic nature expedition with high-end pricing, underscores the global nature of travel and the potential for such health events to emerge in even the most isolated locales. The decision on whether Spain will allow the ship to dock remains pending, adding another layer of uncertainty for those on board.

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Although uncommon, limited human‑to‑human transmission of the Andes virus, a species of hantavirus found in Argentina and Chile, 'has been reported in community settings involving close and prolonged contact'.