Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship: 3 Dead Including Elderly Couple
A suspected hantavirus outbreak has occurred on a Dutch cruise ship, with 3 deaths and at least 3 people showing symptoms so far. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an investigation, focusing on transmission routes and medical response.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Cape Town 3rd Comprehensive Foreign News Report) A suspected hantavirus outbreak has been reported on a Dutch cruise ship, with authorities and media reporting that 3 people have died so far, including an elderly couple, and at least 3 others are showing symptoms.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the Dutch-flagged 'MV Hondius' carries around 150 passengers. Multiple online travel companies indicate that this cruise ship typically has about 70 crew members.
South Africa's Department of Health stated that the cruise ship departed from Argentina in South America about 3 weeks ago, passing through Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and multiple stopping points, with its final destination originally set for the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
South Africa's Department of Health further stated that the first victim was a 70-year-old male who died on board, and his body was disembarked in Saint Helena. The wife of this 70-year-old man collapsed at a South African airport while attempting to return to the Netherlands and died after being sent to the hospital.
The South African Department of Health further pointed out that the patient currently receiving intensive care in Johannesburg is a British national, who fell ill after the ship left Saint Helena and was then transferred to South Africa.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that two Dutch passengers have died but did not provide further details.
The World Health Organization (WHO) posted on social media platform X that one of the symptomatic individuals is currently receiving intensive care in South Africa. According to Sky News, citing the South African Department of Health, this patient is a British national.
WHO stated it is investigating the outbreak, and laboratory tests have confirmed one case of hantavirus infection among six relevant individuals.
Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch polar expedition company, issued a press release stating that the MV Hondius is located off the coast of Cape Verde, an Atlantic island nation off West Africa, and the company is dealing with a very serious medical situation on board this polar expedition cruise ship.
Oceanwide Expeditions noted that Cape Verdean authorities have not yet allowed those requiring medical care to disembark, and arrangements for medical evacuation are still being coordinated.
Hantavirus can be transmitted when rodent excrement and urine become airborne, for example, when someone cleans a rat-infested shed. WHO states that human-to-human transmission is rare.
The disease initially presents with flu-like symptoms and can then lead to heart and lung failure. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40% of cases result in death.
There is currently no specific cure for hantavirus, and treatment mainly consists of supportive care, with severe cases requiring respiratory assistance.
WHO said they are 'assisting member states and the ship's party in arranging medical evacuation for two symptomatic individuals, while also conducting a full public health risk assessment and providing support for all personnel on board.'
The British Foreign Office and the South African Department of Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Compiler: Tsai Chia-min) 1150504
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(Central News Agency Cape Town 3rd Comprehensive Foreign News Report) A suspected hantavirus outbreak has been reported on a Dutch cruise ship, with authorities and media reporting that 3 people have died so far, including an elderly couple, and at least 3 others are showing symptoms.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the Dutch-flagged 'MV Hondius' carries around 150 passengers. Multiple online travel companies indicate that this cruise ship typically has about 70 crew members.
South Africa's Department of Health stated that the cruise ship departed from Argentina in South America about 3 weeks ago, passing through Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and multiple stopping points, with its final destination originally set for the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
South Africa's Department of Health further stated that the first victim was a 70-year-old male who died on board, and his body was disembarked in Saint Helena. The wife of this 70-year-old man collapsed at a South African airport while attempting to return to the Netherlands and died after being sent to the hospital.
The South African Department of Health further pointed out that the patient currently receiving intensive care in Johannesburg is a British national, who fell ill after the ship left Saint Helena and was then transferred to South Africa.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that two Dutch passengers have died but did not provide further details.
The World Health Organization (WHO) posted on social media platform X that one of the symptomatic individuals is currently receiving intensive care in South Africa. According to Sky News, citing the South African Department of Health, this patient is a British national.
WHO stated it is investigating the outbreak, and laboratory tests have confirmed one case of hantavirus infection among six relevant individuals.
Oceanwide Expeditions, a Dutch polar expedition company, issued a press release stating that the MV Hondius is located off the coast of Cape Verde, an Atlantic island nation off West Africa, and the company is dealing with a very serious medical situation on board this polar expedition cruise ship.
Oceanwide Expeditions noted that Cape Verdean authorities have not yet allowed those requiring medical care to disembark, and arrangements for medical evacuation are still being coordinated.
Hantavirus can be transmitted when rodent excrement and urine become airborne, for example, when someone cleans a rat-infested shed. WHO states that human-to-human transmission is rare.
The disease initially presents with flu-like symptoms and can then lead to heart and lung failure. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40% of cases result in death.
There is currently no specific cure for hantavirus, and treatment mainly consists of supportive care, with severe cases requiring respiratory assistance.
WHO said they are 'assisting member states and the ship's party in arranging medical evacuation for two symptomatic individuals, while also conducting a full public health risk assessment and providing support for all personnel on board.'
The British Foreign Office and the South African Department of Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Compiler: Tsai Chia-min) 1150504
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
No text, images, or audio/video from this website may be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Keywords: