Health authorities have detected the Andes strain of hantavirus, capable of person-to-person transmission, in individuals aboard a cruise ship involved in a lethal outbreak of the rare infection. Two hantavirus patients and one suspected case were evacuated from the MV Hondius ship and airlifted to the Netherlands. The ship continued its journey to Spain’s Canary Islands with approximately 150 passengers on board.
The ship’s physician was among the evacuated individuals, and his health has since improved from a serious condition to stable, according to Spain’s Health Ministry and Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator. The evacuees included a 56-year-old Briton, a 41-year-old Dutch national, and a 65-year-old German, who were promptly transferred to specialized hospitals in Europe.
As the vessel heads towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain, those remaining on board, including four Canadian citizens, are reportedly asymptomatic. Repatriation plans are in place for non-Spanish passengers upon arrival in Tenerife, as confirmed by Spain’s health minister, Mónica García.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand assured that consular staff would be available to assist Canadian passengers upon disembarkation, emphasizing that the overall public health risk remains low. The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation and liaising with provinces and territories to assess potential risks and provide guidance to passengers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring the incident, collaborating with international partners to mitigate risks. In Madrid, Spanish passengers are set to undergo quarantine at a military hospital, with the duration based on potential virus exposure, given the virus’s 45-day incubation period.
Hantavirus, primarily spread by rodents and rarely through human contact, poses cardiopulmonary risks with a potential fatality rate of up to 50%, as per the WHO. The organization emphasized that human-to-human transmission is typically limited to very close interactions, such as sharing living spaces or providing medical care.
The WHO confirmed cases of hantavirus among passengers on the ship and underscored the importance of close contact for transmission. Authorities in various countries, including Switzerland and South Africa, have identified and are managing cases related to the outbreak. Disinfection measures have been implemented on the ship, with passengers isolated in their cabins as a precautionary measure.