health
What is the Andean Hantavirus Strain
A rare strain of hantavirus, known to spread between people through close contact, has been found in patients linked to an outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship.
TL;DR
- A rare Andean strain of hantavirus, which can spread between people, has been detected on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
- Two individuals evacuated to South Africa from the ship tested positive for the virus, with one fatality confirmed and two other deaths under investigation.
- Passengers and crew are currently isolated in their cabins to prevent further transmission.
- The typical mode of hantavirus transmission is from rodents, but the Andean strain is known to spread human-to-human.
- The origin of the outbreak on the ship is unclear, with possibilities including contact with infected rodents or prior exposure in South America.
- Experts emphasize the importance of isolation, handwashing, and contact tracing to control the spread.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) assumes close contact spread the virus on the ship.
- The global risk of infection is considered very low, with no evidence of spread beyond the ship.