Key Takeaways:
Three people have died and at least seven others have fallen ill in a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is now anchored off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa. The World Health Organization is investigating the outbreak on the Dutch-flagged vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which was on a weeks-long journey from Argentina.
"Our working hypothesis is that there’s probably a couple of different types of transmission that might be happening," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director, told BBC Breakfast. The WHO said Spain has granted the boat permission to dock in the Canary Islands, but the Spanish health ministry has stated a decision will be made based on epidemiological data.
The investigation is focused on the Andes virus, a rare strain of hantavirus found in Argentina and Chile that can be transmitted from person to person and has a mortality rate of nearly 40%. This possibility gained traction after the WHO noted that no rodents, the typical carriers of hantavirus, were found on board the ship.
The outbreak's timeline began after the ship departed from Argentina on April 1. A Dutch man died on the ship on April 11, and his wife, who was evacuated, died later that month. A British passenger was evacuated to South Africa on April 27 and is in critical condition. A German passenger died on May 2. Two crew members, including the ship's doctor, are also reported to be ill and awaiting medical evacuation.
The situation has left 149 passengers and crew, including 17 Americans, in limbo. Oceanwide Expeditions is working to repatriate the sick crew members and passengers. The incident raises significant concerns for the expedition cruise industry, highlighting the challenges of managing health crises in remote locations and the potential for severe financial and reputational damage.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
