After several individuals fell ill and died from Hantavirus during an Atlantic cruise, the World Health Organization (WHO) has presumed that the transmission occurred from person to person. However, in a statement released Tuesday, the WHO affirmed that, based on current data, the risk to the global population is low, and the situation will remain under continuous observation.
The incident involves the MV Hondius, which began its journey from Argentina bound for the Cape Verde on April 1. Of the 147 passengers and crew, seven have shown signs of illness: three have died, one is in critical condition, and three others exhibit mild symptoms. One of the deceased individuals is a German national. The vessel remains off the Cape Verde coast and is currently under quarantine.
Typically, Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through direct contact with contaminated urine, feces, or saliva from infected rodents, or through bites. While human-to-human transmission has been documented before, it has only been recorded for the “Andes Virus” group, and the WHO considers this form of spread to be rare. When human transmission does take place, it is associated with close and sustained contact, particularly within a household or among partners. The WHO suggests that the likelihood of infection is highest during the early stages of the disease, when the virus is particularly contagious.
Symptoms usually manifest between one and eight weeks after exposure. Initial symptoms generally include fever, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting. More severe, later complications that are possible include cough, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in the lungs, shock, low blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, or kidney failure-all carrying the risk of a fatal outcome.