WHO Says More Hantavirus Cases May Emerge in Coming Weeks After Spain-Led Cruise Evacuation
At least 85 guests and 35 crew were evacuated, and officials say the Andes strain could spread further because of its long incubation period.
- Oceania Expeditions evacuated at least 85 guests and 35 crew members from the MV Hondius early this week following a hantavirus outbreak that killed three passengers aboard the Atlantic Ocean cruise ship.
- Endemic to Argentina, the Andes strain of hantavirus originated in South America where the ship departed six weeks prior. The virus spreads through contact with rodent feces, urine, and saliva.
- Dr. Stathis Giotis of the University of Essex noted the Andes strain is the only known variant capable of human-to-human transmission, though cases remain rare. Health experts warn more cases may emerge.
- The Hondius will anchor at Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Monday for disinfection, Oceanwide Exepetitions said yesterday. Officials urged governments to ensure passengers quarantine for at least 42 days.
- During a Madrid press conference, Ghebreyesus warned "it's possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks" given the virus's long incubation period. He acknowledged Tenerife residents' concerns about disembarking passengers.
15 Articles
15 Articles
WHO chief warns there ‘will be more hantavirus cases in the coming weeks’
According to a report from Metro, the director general of the World Health Organization has cautioned that further infections from the rodent-borne hantavirus are likely in the near term, even as officials stress there are no indications of a broader pandemic. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the situation during a press conference in Madrid, following an […]
WHO Chief Claims More Cases Of Hantavirus Are Coming
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has claimed that the world may experience more cases of Hantavirus. “We might see more cases” of the deadly Andes strain of hantavirus emerge in the coming days, after an eleventh case was recorded, he said. “At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak, but of course the situation could change and, given the long incubation period o…
Passengers must be monitored by the end of June. Meanwhile, a dozen Dutch hospital workers must be quarantined – they had handled with blood and urine samples without fully respecting the safety rules.
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