The World Health Organization has begun urgent contact tracing after a fatal case of Hantavirus linked to a cruise ship journey that started off the coast of Cape Verde.
Two deaths have now been recorded in connection with the outbreak. A Dutch couple travelling on the cruise ship both contracted the virus, with the husband dying earlier on board the vessel, which remains stranded offshore.
The woman later became the second fatality after leaving the ship.
According to the WHO, the woman disembarked on the remote island of Saint Helena on April 24, where she initially showed “gastrointestinal symptoms.”
Health officials monitored her condition before arrangements were made to transfer her for further medical care.
Her health worsened rapidly during a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg. The WHO confirmed that her condition “deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg” and she died on April 26.
Authorities say the development has raised concerns about possible exposure among fellow travellers.
“Contact tracing for passengers on the flight has been initiated,” the WHO said, as efforts intensify to identify and monitor anyone who may have come into contact with the infected passenger.
Public health teams are working across jurisdictions to contain any further spread and assess the risk linked to the cruise ship.
