WHO Evacuates Suspected Hantavirus Cases From Cruise Ship -

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has confirmed that three suspected cases of Hantavirus have been evacuated from a cruise ship for treatment. In a statement, Tedros said the patients were being transported to the Netherlands for medical care, in coordination with the WHO, the ship’s…...

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has confirmed that three suspected cases of Hantavirus have been evacuated from a cruise ship for treatment.

In a statement, Tedros said the patients were being transported to the Netherlands for medical care, in coordination with the WHO, the ship’s operator and national authorities from Cabo Verde, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.

He added that the WHO is working closely with the vessel’s operators to monitor the health of both passengers and crew, while supporting countries in carrying out medical follow-up and evacuation where necessary.

https://x.com/DrTedros/status/2051971459631738970/photo/4

Monitoring processes have also been initiated for passengers still on board, as well as those who have already disembarked, in collaboration with relevant health authorities.

Despite the situation, the WHO maintained that the overall public health risk remains low, while expressing appreciation to all parties involved in managing the response.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has announced the discovery of another Hantavirus case in a passenger linked to the MV Honduis Crusie ship.

https://x.com/WHO/status/2051952287245897925?s=20

The announcement was contained in an update on the Hantavirus by the World Health Organisation on its X formerly Twitter handle.

According to the update, the passenger, a male, had responded to an email from the ship’s operator informing the passengers of the health event, and presented himself to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, and is receiving care.

https://x.com/AfricaCDC/status/2051907152734753037?s=20

In line with the International Health Regulations (IHR), WHO is working with relevant countries to support international contact tracing, to ensure that those potentially exposed are monitored and that any further disease spread is limited.

The type of virus in this outbreak has been confirmed as Andes hantavirus by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases @nicd_sa, South Africa, and the Geneva University Hospitals

@hug_ge, Switzerland, The support of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar

@PasteurDakar , Senegal and the Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud @ANLIS_Malbran, Argentina has also been critical in responding to this event.

As of 6 May, there are 8 cases, 3 of whom are confirmed as Hantavirus by laboratory testing.

WHO says it will continue to work with countries to ensure that the patients, contacts, passengers and crew have the information and support they need to stay safe and prevent spread.

The Africa CDC also announced on its X formerly Twitter handle that it is closely monitoring a cluster of Hantavirus infections linked to international cruise travel.

While cases have been identified among passengers, there is currently no evidence of transmission within African countries, and the risk to the general public remains low.

Member States are however advised to strengthen port health measures and surveillance, while travelers should remain vigilant and seek care if symptoms develop after travel.