The World Health Organization said Thursday that there are now eight reported cases linked to the hantavirus outbreak on the Atlantic cruise ship MV Hondius, including five confirmed infections and three suspected cases. Three deaths have also been recorded.
The agency said the situation is being closely monitored, but stressed that it does not represent the start of an epidemic or a situation similar to COVID-19.
It added that the outbreak is expected to remain limited if public health measures are properly implemented.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the confirmed infections involve the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is found in Latin America.
He said that “none of the remaining passengers or crew on the ship are currently symptomatic.”
Health officials warned, however, that more cases could still emerge due to the virus’s incubation period, which can last up to six weeks.
Tedros noted that “it’s possible that more cases may be reported.”
The cruise ship, MV Hondius, left Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1 for a transatlantic voyage to Cape Verde before continuing toward Tenerife, where passengers are expected to be repatriated.
Tedros said he had been in regular contact with the ship’s captain, who reported that “morale has improved significantly since the ship started moving again.”
WHO emergency response officials said the outbreak is expected to remain contained if proper measures are followed.
The agency’s response director added that “this will be a limited outbreak if the public health measures are implemented.”
Experts explained that hantavirus is typically spread through infected rodents, but only the Andes strain has documented human-to-human transmission.
They also said early genetic analysis has shown no unusual changes in the virus, and that patients receiving treatment abroad are in stable condition.
