Global Tracing Efforts Following Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius
Health authorities worldwide are urgently working to trace dozens of individuals who disembarked from the cruise ship MV Hondius prior to the detection of a hantavirus outbreak, as well as anyone who has had close contact with them since.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five cases linked to the outbreak, including three fatalities, all associated with the Dutch vessel.
The UN health agency emphasized that this outbreak does not represent the onset of a pandemic similar to Covid-19 six years ago, noting that this strain of hantavirus transmits through "close, intimate contact." However, due to the disease's incubation period, which can extend up to six weeks, the WHO indicated that additional cases might still emerge.
Approximately 150 passengers and crew members from 28 countries were initially aboard the ship, with dozens disembarking on the island of St Helena on 24 April.
The luxury cruise, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, commenced on 1 April in Ushuaia, Argentina, and is scheduled to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands on 10 May.
Typically, hantavirus spreads from rodents, but this outbreak is notable as it is the first documented instance of person-to-person transmission of this virus strain, according to the WHO.
The WHO is coordinating with officials in at least 12 countries monitoring their citizens who returned from the cruise. These countries include Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
One expert described the outbreak response to the BBC as "high chaotic and uncoordinated," but reassured that the general public faces minimal risk.
Situation in the United Kingdom
Three British nationals are suspected of having hantavirus.
Seven British passengers disembarked the MV Hondius in St Helena on 24 April before the first confirmed hantavirus case was reported on 4 May; four of these individuals remained on the island.
One patient is located on the remote Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the ship had stopped in mid-April.
Two other British men have confirmed cases. One is Martin Anstee, a 56-year-old retired police officer, who remains in stable condition in the Netherlands after evacuation from the ship on Wednesday. The other is in intensive care after being flown to South Africa last month.
Other British nationals who disembarked do not exhibit symptoms but remain in contact with health officials. Medical personnel are expected to be dispatched to the islands to provide support.
Two additional British nationals are self-isolating at home in the UK after potential exposure. They are asymptomatic and are voluntarily isolating.
United States Monitoring
Health agencies in five US states are monitoring individuals who were aboard the ship: two each in Georgia and Texas, one each in Arizona and Virginia, and an unspecified number in California, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
None of these individuals have shown symptoms, according to the respective health departments.
Possible Origin of Outbreak
Prior to boarding the cruise on 1 April, a Dutch couple had undertaken a bird-watching trip through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, visiting areas inhabited by the species of rat known to carry the Andes strain of hantavirus, the WHO reported.
The source of the outbreak remains unconfirmed. The Argentine government is investigating whether infections originated within the country.
Cape Verde
The MV Hondius was denied permission to dock in the West African archipelago of Cape Verde and remained anchored off its coast for several days before departing towards the Canary Islands on Wednesday.
The French Ministry of Health identified eight French nationals who had contact with a Dutch woman who died from hantavirus during her flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg.
One individual has exhibited mild symptoms and is awaiting test results, while the others have been offered isolation and testing options, the agency reported on Thursday.
One of the deceased passengers was a German woman who initially developed a fever on 28 April and later showed pneumonia symptoms. Her body remains on the ship, according to the cruise operator.
Netherlands
Thirteen Dutch nationals were aboard the ship, including eight passengers and five crew members.
Among the three fatalities are two Dutch citizens, a husband and wife. The woman tested positive for hantavirus and died in South Africa.
A Dutch woman was admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam after exhibiting possible hantavirus symptoms, the Dutch health ministry announced on Thursday.
Dutch broadcaster RTL reported that the woman was a stewardess at KLM airline and had contact with a woman who died from hantavirus in Johannesburg. However, on Friday, a WHO official informed CBS News that she tested negative for the virus.
Philippines
The MV Hondius crew includes 38 individuals from the Philippines.
There are currently no confirmed hantavirus cases in the Philippines, with officials emphasizing that the risk remains "extremely low."
Arrival at Canary Islands
The MV Hondius is expected to dock in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, by Saturday.
Currently, 146 people from 23 countries remain aboard the vessel as it sails to the Canary Islands, where they will undergo medical assessments before being allowed to travel home.
Spanish authorities have approved this plan, although the Canary Islands' president has opposed it.
"I cannot allow [the boat] to enter the Canaries," Fernando Clavijo told Spain's Onda Cero radio. "This decision is not based on any technical criteria and nor have we been given enough information."
Residents in Tenerife have expressed concern about the ship's arrival, fearing potential health issues on the island.
"I don't think it's a good idea... but people do need help," said one resident.
If passengers remain healthy upon arrival, all non-Spanish citizens will be repatriated to their home countries, while 14 Spanish passengers will be quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid.
Switzerland
A Swiss man who disembarked from the MV Hondius in Saint Helena tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, according to Swiss health officials and the WHO.
The man developed symptoms and underwent testing in Zurich, where he is currently receiving care, officials stated on Wednesday.
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