A deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is being closely monitored by experts as a significant case study for future implications, according to a leading infectious disease specialist.
Professor Paul Hunter, a renowned expert in infectious diseases from the UK, made comments regarding the outbreak as three additional individuals were evacuated due to falling ill. The Dutch vessel, MV Hondius, had been stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, West Africa, amidst a disagreement over the appropriate docking location for the safe repatriation of passengers, including 19 British citizens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that eight suspected cases of hantavirus have now been associated with the MV Hondius ship, resulting in three fatalities. Among those affected are two British individuals, one passenger in critical but stable condition after being evacuated to South Africa, and a crew member believed to be the ship’s doctor.
The British doctor was one of three individuals showing symptoms who were evacuated from the ship and are currently en route to the Netherlands for medical treatment.
Professor Paul Hunter, a microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, emphasized the importance of understanding how hantavirus spreads, especially in situations like the current outbreak on the cruise ship where passengers, many of whom are elderly, have been in close proximity for an extended period.
While initial doubts existed about human-to-human transmission of hantavirus, Professor Hunter highlighted the possibility due to the presence of infected healthcare workers, like the ship’s doctor. However, he cautioned against overestimating the risk of widespread transmission back in the UK, stating that close or prolonged contact is necessary for the virus to spread.
The recent evacuations have allowed the ship to resume its journey to the Canary Islands following authorization from Spanish authorities. Concerns had been raised by the president of the Canary Islands about the ship docking in Tenerife, leading to a delay as arrangements were made to evacuate crew members.
Health officials in Spain reported an improvement in the British doctor’s condition from critical to stable, indicating a positive development in the treatment process.
Professor Hunter highlighted the potential for the virus to have a lengthy incubation period and mentioned a low risk of onward transmission in Europe, although not entirely ruled out. The identification of the Andes strain of the virus in two passengers in South Africa, a strain suspected to be transmittable between humans, further complicates the investigation into the outbreak’s origin.