The World Health Organization is investigating whether hantavirus may have spread between people on board a cruise ship in the Atlantic, after a cluster of infections linked to the vessel left three people dead.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the risk to the general population in Europe remains very low, but added that the source and scale of the outbreak are still under investigation.
According to WHO, seven confirmed or suspected cases have been identified in connection with the MV Hondius, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and three people with mild symptoms. The cluster includes two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected cases.
The vessel, operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently off Cape Verde, with 149 people on board.
Possible close-contact transmission
WHO said on Tuesday that it is examining the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission on the ship.
“We do think there may be some human-to-human transmission among very close contacts, like spouses, people who share cabins and so on,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention.
Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is considered rare. Most hantaviruses are transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents, their urine, faeces or saliva. However, ECDC notes that Andes virus, a hantavirus found mainly in parts of South America, has previously been shown to spread between people through close and prolonged contact.
The specific hantavirus involved in the current outbreak has not yet been identified.
“It is not yet known whether transmission in the current outbreak occurred through environmental exposure or between people,” ECDC said.
Spanish team to assess passengers
Spain’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that a team of epidemiologists would board the vessel to check passengers for symptoms and assess the risk.
The move is being coordinated with WHO and is expected to help authorities decide on repatriation procedures and the ship’s next route.
Cape Verdean health authorities have so far not allowed passengers to disembark.
Ship remains off Cape Verde
Oceanwide Expeditions said the atmosphere on board the MV Hondius remains calm and that passengers are generally composed.
The company said two crew members had developed acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe, and both required immediate medical attention.
Dutch authorities are preparing the medical evacuation of the two symptomatic crew members, as well as a person linked to the passenger who died on 2 May.
“So far, no other symptomatic persons have been identified,” the company said.
Among the options under consideration are sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus refers to a group of viruses carried mainly by rodents. Humans are usually infected by inhaling airborne particles from dried rodent droppings, urine or saliva.
Infection can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious illness that may begin with fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms. In severe cases, it can progress to breathing difficulties and low blood pressure.
According to WHO, symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure, although they can emerge as early as one week or as late as eight weeks after infection.
Source: gr.euronews