Hantavirus Outbreak On Dutch Cruise Ship

Many passengers aboard the Dutch cruise liner “MV Hondius” have been infected with a rare and deadly virus, called the Hantavirus. The ship was headed to the Canary Islands from West Africa with around 150 people on board.

The Hantavirus can be contracted by breathing in the dust of dried waste from infected rodents. It is not common for the disease to spread between humans, but some exceptions are possible. One of these exceptions includes the Andes strain that appeared on the ship.

On April 6th, the first known case of Hantavirus appeared on the ship. That case was a 70-year-old Dutch man. He passed away on April 11th. Soon after, his wife also passed. It was suspected that they were infected after touring South America for bird-watching. The passengers have mostly returned to their homes, where they are currently being monitored for safety. As of May 22nd, there were ten confirmed cases and two suspected cases linked to the outbreak.

Experts say there risk to the world is low, as Hantavirus does not spread easily from person to person.

The MV Hondius arrived at the Canary Islands on May 14th for complete disinfection. To keep the citizens safe, the ship will stay far away from land. Passengers are currently being checked by doctors and taken to shore carefully to prevent contact with the public.

According to expert Bill Hanage, the public should not worry about another global pandemic. “It’s not the case fatality rate that matters for pandemic potential,” he assures, “it’s the ability to transmit between humans.”