The alleged hantavirus outbreak, which has already caused three dead in a cruise that departed from Ushuaia (Argentina)presents a low risk of spreadestimated on Monday the regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe. Hantavirus is a disease that is usually transmitted through contact with the urine or droppings of infected rodents, although in rare cases it can spread between people and lead to serious respiratory illnesses.
“The risk for the entire population remains low. There is no reason to panic or impose travel restrictions,” Hans Kluge said in a statement, stressing that hantavirus infections were rare, generally linked to exposure to infected rodents and that “they are not easily transmitted between people.”
Two of the sick on the cruise that is off the coast of Cape Verde, they are detained on the ship after three deaths were recorded on board, due to the refusal of the Cape Verdean authorities to allow their disembarkation, reported the company that operates the ship.
“During this trip, three passengers have died. In addition, one passenger is admitted to intensive care in Johannesburg (northern South Africa) and two crew members require urgent medical attention,” the agency reported early Monday morning. Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions.
Refusal to disembark
However, at 21:00 GMT on Sunday “the Cape Verdean authorities “They have not authorized the disembarkation of passengers who require medical attention or the performance of diagnostic tests” and, after visiting the ship to evaluate its condition, “they have not yet made a decision about their transfer to a medical center” in this small West African country, the company regretted.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in a statement that at least six people were affected due to the hantavirus outbreak – three dead and three sick – although in only one of the cases – the patient hospitalized in Johannesburg – the presence of the virus has been confirmed by laboratory.
Although it was not specified by the company or the WHO, the South African Department of Health and sources close to the case confirmed to the media that the first death, of a man, occurred in the Saint Helena Island (British territory in the southern Atlantic), where the body was left; and the second, from his wife, in Johannesburg, from where the victim – whose body is in the South African city – was trying to take a flight back to the Netherlands. Finally, the third death took place on the ship itself, where the body of the deceased remains.
Repatriation
According to Oceanwide Expeditionsthe Dutch authorities “have agreed to lead the joint organization of the repatriation of the two individuals with symptoms” and “the body of the deceased will also be included in the repatriation, together with a close companion”, who does not have symptoms. Repatriation, however, depends on the authorization of the authorities of the African country.
“The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two individuals with symptoms on board receive appropriate and urgent medical attention”, as well as to protect “the health and safety of all passengers and crew” of the ship, the company stated.
The WHO noted that epidemiological investigations, new laboratory analyzes and sequencing of the virus are being carried out to determine the extent of outbreakwhile passengers and crew receive medical care and monitoring.
The ship is called ‘MV Hondius’es the first ship in the world registered with the Polar Class 6 and can carry 170 passengersin addition to 57 crew members, thirteen guides and a doctor, according to Oceanwides. He tourist ship, used for exploration trips in the Arctic and Antarcticadeparted on March 20 from the port terminal of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina.
