Hantavirus: How is the outbreak being contained?

"So far, three people have died, with several others taken ill, after a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne illness that has multiple strains of varying severity. With the ship now docked, passengers are being returned to their countries of residence. Each will face a slightly different process over the coming days and weeks, depending on their infection status and their country's reactions to such outbreaks."

"The World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed two of the deaths were from the virus, with the other "probable" at this stage. Hantaviruses are relatively well known, if rare, and are mostly transmitted from rodents to humans. The symptoms are respiratory and those strains which can develop into 'hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS)' can have a "fatality ratio, reaching 40-50%" according to the WHO."

"Argentina's Ministry of Health are investigating whether the couple were infected by exposure to rodent droppings during a bird-watching tour at a landfill site in the town. The Dutch couple, who were the first to become ill and later died, had been visiting South America before departing on the ship from Argentina's southernmost town, Ushuaia, in late March."

"Those on the ship contracted the Andes strain. This is thought to be the only one capable of limited human-to-human transmission, and severity varies by region too. In Europe, strains generally cause milder illness and a fatality rate between one and 15%, with cases in North and South America often above 30%."

Three deaths and several illnesses followed a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. The ship is docked, and passengers are being returned to their home countries, with processes varying by infection status and national outbreak responses. Argentina’s Ministry of Health is investigating whether a Dutch couple were infected through exposure to rodent droppings during a bird-watching tour at a landfill site in Ushuaia. The World Health Organization confirmed two deaths as hantavirus-related and listed another as probable. Hantaviruses are rodent-borne, usually transmitted from rodents to humans, with respiratory symptoms. The Andes strain linked to the ship can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome and has a higher fatality ratio, with limited human-to-human transmission reported for this strain. Close contacts are urged to wear protective clothing to reduce risk.

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