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Three Passengers Die from Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Departing Argentina
🇦🇷 Argentina /Health & Science

Three Passengers Die from Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Departing Argentina

From La Nación · (41m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Three deaths have been reported in connection with a potential hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that departed from Ushuaia, Argentina.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed one laboratory-confirmed case and five suspected cases among passengers and crew.
  • The affected individuals were evacuated to South Africa, with one remaining in intensive care.

A concerning health alert has emerged from the Atlantic, with reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which originated its journey from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the situation, providing crucial updates on the unfolding public health event.

The WHO was informed of a public health event related to a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean and is providing its support.

— WHO SpokespersonConfirming the organization's involvement and awareness of the hantavirus situation on the MV Hondius.

The virus, known to be transmitted by rodents, has led to three confirmed deaths among passengers. The WHO has stated that one case has been confirmed by laboratory tests, with five others under investigation. Of the six individuals affected, three have tragically passed away, and one remains in intensive care in South Africa.

The first to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who later died aboard the ship. His wife, also a passenger, was evacuated to South Africa and subsequently died in a Johannesburg hospital. A third fatality is reported to still be on board the vessel. Additionally, a 69-year-old British passenger was evacuated to Johannesburg and is in intensive care, while two other active cases remain on the cruise ship.

To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed in the laboratory, and there are five other suspected cases. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

— WHO SpokespersonDetailing the confirmed and suspected cases, as well as the fatalities and current medical status.

Discussions are underway regarding the transfer of the remaining two sick passengers to a hospital in Cape Verde for isolation, after which the ship may continue its voyage. The WHO is actively coordinating with involved countries and the ship's operator to facilitate medical evacuations. This incident underscores the ongoing health risks associated with travel and the importance of swift international cooperation in managing such outbreaks, especially given the existing health alert in Argentina due to a high index of hantavirus cases and fatalities.

We are facilitating coordination between countries and the ship operator to organize the medical evacuation of two passengers with symptoms.

— WHO SpokespersonExplaining the WHO's role in coordinating medical evacuations for affected passengers.
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Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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