The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the hantavirus detected in passengers on Oceanwide Expeditions’ exploration vessel Hondius was identified as the Andes type.
Hantavirus infection is a disease caused by viruses of the genus Orthohantavirus and can lead to severe respiratory illness. It is associated with exposure to the urine and feces of infected rodents and, in rare cases, can spread from person to person. The incubation period ranges from one to five weeks, typically about two weeks. Symptoms include fever, cough, and muscle pain, and may also be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. The Andes type is known to be transmissible from person to person.
The first death occurred on board the ship on April 11, and the deceased’s wife, who disembarked with the body on Saint Helena on April 24, died on April 27. On the same day, another passenger was transported to a medical facility and, although in critical condition, was reported to be stable. Another passenger died on May 2. Two crew members are also showing symptoms.
Furthermore, hantavirus was detected in a passenger who, after disembarking from the ship, visited a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, based on an email sent by the operating company.
Those remaining on board who require treatment will be transferred from the ship, which is anchored off Cape Verde, to a hospital in the Netherlands. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “at this time, the overall public health risk is low.”
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