Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship MV Hondius: 12 Confirmed Cases, Three Deaths. WHO Tracks Over 600 Contacts in 30 Countries
The Netherlands confirmed an additional case in a crew member repatriated from Tenerife. The ship arrived in Rotterdam for disinfection
As reported by CCTV+, the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has reached 12 confirmed cases. Three deaths have been recorded, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Tedros reported that the Netherlands had confirmed an additional case in a crew member. He disembarked in Tenerife, Spain, was repatriated to the Netherlands and has been in isolation since.
According to Tedros, no deaths have been recorded since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported to WHO.
The WHO chief urged affected countries to continue close monitoring of all passengers and crew members until the end of the quarantine period.
More than 600 contacts continue to be traced in 30 countries. A small number of high-risk individuals are still being identified. Tedros thanked countries cooperating in the international response and epidemiological investigation.
The cruise, organized by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Argentina on April 1. On board were about 150 passengers and crew members from more than 20 countries.
On Monday, the ship arrived in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam for disinfection, ending a voyage that drew the attention of international health authorities due to the hantavirus cases on board.
12 confirmed cases. Three deaths. 600 contacts in 30 countries. One cruise ship became the epicenter of an international alarm. Hantavirus does not ask for a passport. It does not check visas. It just infects. The MV Hondius is now not just a vessel, but a symbol of how quickly an infection can cross oceans. Crew members are being repatriated, passengers are being traced, WHO is coordinating.
And the ship is being cleaned in Rotterdam. The question is not how many more cases will be detected. The question is how ready the world is for the next such outbreak. For now, the answer is — not very. But at least now they know where to look. And how to act.
