Web Desk: The World Health Organization is tracking a cluster of hantavirus infections linked to a cruise ship in South America. Health officials in 12 countries are now tracing passengers and monitoring possible contacts.
The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus. Scientists consider this strain unusual because it can spread between humans in limited cases. Most hantaviruses spread through infected rodents or exposure to their urine, saliva or droppings.
WHO said authorities have identified seven confirmed or suspected cases so far. Three people linked to the outbreak have died, according to international health officials.
The cases emerged after passengers aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius developed fever, stomach illness and severe respiratory symptoms during the voyage. Several travelers had recently visited parts of South America before boarding the ship.
Doctors later transferred a critically ill British passenger to a hospital in South Africa. Health agencies also detected infections in Switzerland and other countries.
WHO stressed that the outbreak does not resemble the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials said the overall public health risk remains low because sustained human transmission is rare.
“Hantavirus events remain uncommon and localized,” WHO officials said in updated guidance this week.
Hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, a serious disease that affects the lungs and heart. WHO data shows fatality rates can reach up to 50% in some outbreaks, depending on the virus strain and access to medical care.
Meanwhile, Israeli health authorities confirmed the country’s first hantavirus case on Thursday. Officials said a traveler returning from Eastern Europe tested positive for a European strain of the virus. They added that the case is not linked to the Andes strain involved in the cruise ship outbreak.
The patient remains in stable condition under medical supervision.
WHO said Europe and Asia report thousands of hantavirus infections each year. However, experts have only documented human-to-human transmission with the Andes strain, mainly in Argentina and Chile among close contacts.
International health agencies continue to trace passengers and monitor crew members connected to the voyage. Officials said they have found no evidence of widespread community transmission.
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