The World Health Organization has stated that the risk of an epidemic to the general public remains low following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This was reported by UNN with reference to information from the organization.
Details
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, stated that the organization is acting urgently and working with the involved countries regarding medical assistance, evacuation, investigation, and public health risk assessment.
The risk to the general public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions
What happened to the travelers on the ship journeying across the Atlantic
According to the WHO, one case of hantavirus was previously confirmed on board the Dutch cruise ship. Five more cases are considered suspicious.
According to the WHO, the ship, which departed from Argentina three weeks ago, was heading to the Canary Islands. It is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa.
The Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions reported that one passenger is currently in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg. Two more crew members remaining on board require urgent medical attention.
British media, citing the South African Department of Health, identified one of the patients as a 69-year-old British citizen. Two of the three deceased were identified as a couple from the Netherlands, as confirmed by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What is known about the evacuation
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it is considering the possibility of medical evacuation for several passengers. At the same time, the ship owner is currently responsible for their emergency care.
What you need to know about hantavirus
Hantavirus is a disease transmitted by rodents that can cause life-threatening respiratory complications. Infection usually occurs after contact with the droppings or urine of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission of the virus is rare.
As a reminder
As a result of the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship, three people died, and three others fell ill.