Cruise ship infections rise with the WHO now confirming eight cases
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The World Health Organization has confirmed an eighth hantavirus case linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, as health authorities continue to investigate an outbreak that has already resulted in three deaths.
The latest case was confirmed by Swiss authorities on Wednesday, bringing the total number of identified infections among passengers to eight. Of these, three people have died, one remains in critical condition, while three others have reported mild symptoms.
The WHO said the infections involve the Andes hantavirus strain, a rare variant capable of human-to-human transmission through close and prolonged contact. Maria Van Kerkhove, the agency’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, said transmission may have occurred between passengers sharing close quarters, including cabin mates.
The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, remains anchored off Praia and is expected to reach the Canary Islands within days.
The Spanish government has agreed to receive the ship on humanitarian grounds following an appeal from the WHO, which said Cabo Verde lacks the capacity to manage the operation. However, Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo has criticised the decision, arguing that insufficient information has been provided to reassure residents about public health risks.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation currently assesses the risk to the wider public as low.
Hantavirus is typically spread through exposure to rodent droppings, urine or saliva, and can cause severe respiratory illness. The Andes strain, primarily found in South America, is the only known variant capable of direct person-to-person transmission.
