New Hantavirus Case Reported in Passenger Evacuated from Cruise Ship

A Spanish passenger who was evacuated from the MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus, according to Spain’s Ministry of Health. The individual, one of over 120 passengers and crew members removed from the ship, had previously been confirmed as having a slight fever and minor respiratory symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 11 cases of the virus, including three deaths among cruise passengers. Nine of these cases involve the Andes variant of hantavirus, which typically spreads among rodents but can be transmitted between humans.

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, is currently sailing back to the Netherlands after evacuating its passengers and crew members. The ship will undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection upon arrival.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the number of cases has remained relatively stable due to international cooperation among governments and partners. However, he noted that the situation could change, given the virus’s long incubation period.

In addition to the cruise ship incident, a Dutch hospital quarantined 12 staff members for six weeks after improper handling of blood and urine samples from a hantavirus patient. A French woman who was evacuated from the ship remains in intensive care at a Paris hospital, while two emergency meetings have been held by the French government regarding hantavirus-related issues.

The WHO has advised returning passengers to stay in quarantine for 42 days, either at home or in hospitals, depending on the country’s monitoring protocols. The organization emphasizes that early detection and treatment can improve survival chances.

Source: Al Jazeera