A hantavirus outbreak has hit the ship MV Hondius. Três passengers died and others fell ill during the trip that departed from Argentina in early April. The Dutch expedition ship remains in isolation at Atlântico, with almost 150 people on board.
Health authorities monitor passengers who have already disembarked and taken flights to several countries. The risk to the general public remains low, according to Organização Mundial of Saúde. The vessel left Ushuaia on April 1 towards remote regions of Antártica and islands of Atlântico Sul.
Casos started in April with Dutch passenger
The first passenger to show symptoms was a 70-year-old Dutch man. Ele felt fever, headache and diarrhea on April 6th. The condition progressed to respiratory failure. Ele died on board on April 11.
His 69-year-old wife, also Dutch, was evacuated. Ela died on April 26 after Sul’s África fell ill at an airport. A third passenger, a German, died on the ship on May 2. Até At the moment, eight cases have been identified, with five confirmed by laboratory. Três people continue to have mild symptoms on board.
The virus belongs to the Andes strain, common in América from Sul. Essa variant can transmit between humans in close contact, unlike most hantaviruses. Initial transmission likely occurred through contact with rodents, possibly during excursions on Ushuaia prior to boarding.
Navio maintains strict isolation protocols
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions reported that 149 people from 23 countries remain on board. Elas follows strict hygiene and isolation measures. Dois crew with respiratory symptoms require urgent care. Equipes doctors boarded the ship for assessment.
The MV Hondius left the coast of Cabo Verde and heads towards Ilhas Canárias, in Espanha. Autoridades Spanish women prepare reception with health protocols. Asymptomatic Passageiros will be monitored. Alguns have already been evacuated for treatment in hospitals in África from Sul and Europa.
- The ship visited areas such as continental Antártica, Geórgia of Sul, Tristão of Cunha, Santa Helena and Ascensão
- Passageiros and crew share cabins and common areas, which facilitates close contact
- Equipes health track more than 80 contacts on return flights to countries like Reino Unido, África of Sul, Estados Unidos, Suíça and Países Baixos
- A Swiss passenger who disembarked tested positive and is receiving treatment at Zurique
- Três evacuees proceed to Países Baixos in coordination with WHO
Investigação searches for exact source of infection
Especialistas investigate whether the initial contact took place on land, before boarding, or in remote areas visited by the vessel. Argentina frequently records hantavirus cases, influenced by climate changes that increase rodent populations. Nenhum’s previous case was recorded in the exact province of departure, according to local authorities.
The Andes strain has already caused outbreaks with limited interpersonal transmission at crowded events. On the ship, living conditions in restricted space may have contributed to new cases. Amostras confirmed the virus in at least two patients. Outras remains under analysis.
Global Risco rated low by WHO
The WHO reinforced that hantavirus does not spread like covid or influenza. Transmission requires close contact with rodent viral particles or, in the case of the Andes strain, with infected people in prolonged proximity. Não there is evidence of community spread outside the ship.
Países receiving returned passengers have activated tracking protocols. Hospitais in Europa and África in Sul test and isolate suspects. The organization monitors the situation in real time and coordinates with the governments involved.
The ship, designed for polar expeditions, has an ice-reinforced hull. Ele offers luxury cruises focusing on remote nature. The trip would last about a month. Agora, priority is medical care and safe disembarkation.
Medidas preventive measures against hantavirus when traveling
Viajantes for areas with rodents should avoid direct contact with wild animals and contaminated environments. Initial Sintomas include fever, muscle pain, headache, and gastrointestinal problems. The disease can quickly progress to serious respiratory problems.
Não There is a vaccine or specific treatment. Care is supportive, with respiratory support when necessary. The mortality rate varies depending on the strain and access to medical care. In the Andes strain, it can exceed 30% in some outbreaks.
Authorities recommend that former passengers on the MV Hondius seek care if they experience symptoms in the coming weeks. The incubation period can reach eight weeks in rare cases.
