The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it believes there could have been human-to-human transmission of hantavirus on a cruise ship carrying almost 150 passengers, with 4 Canadian passengers confirmed on board<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hantavirus is a rodent-borne illness, however the WHO said that on this case it might have been spread amongst \u201creally close contacts\u201d aboard the MV Hondius, travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people on the ship were couples, they were sharing rooms, in order that\u2019s quite intimate contact,\u201d Van Kerkhove, the WHO\u2019s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, said, adding that the cruise also stopped at several islands off the coast of Africa, a few of which \u201chave a whole lot of rodents.\u201d<\/p>\n Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThere could possibly be some source of infection on the islands as well for a few of the other suspect cases,\u201d she said. \u201cNevertheless, we do consider that there could also be some human-to-human transmission that\u2019s happening among the many really close contacts,\u201d reminiscent of those that have shared cabins.<\/p>\n \u201cOne patient is in intensive care in South Africa, although we understand that this patient is improving,\u201d she said, while two patients still on board the ship are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands for treatment.<\/p>\n As a precaution, passengers have been asked to stay of their cabins while disinfection and other public measures are carried out, the WHO revealed.<\/p>\n Hantavirus latest: The UN World Health Organization (WHO) says human-to-human transmission aboard cruise ship in Atlantic Ocean can’t be ruled out, even though it is rare. Seven of 147 passengers and crew have fallen in poor health and three have died. https:\/\/t.co\/mY3ZwGQGsW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VhCVHzAvk6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UN News (@UN_News_Centre) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n There isn’t any specific treatment or cure for hantavirus, but early medical attention can increase the prospect of survival.<\/p>\n Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cTypically, people will develop respiratory symptoms, so respiratory support is actually vital,\u201d Van Kerkhove said, explaining that some people require mechanical ventilation and intensive care treatment.<\/p>\n Van Kerkhove addressed the people on the cruise ship, saying, \u201cWe just want you to know we’re working with the ship\u2019s operators\u201d and with the travellers\u2019 countries of origin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hear you. We all know that you just are scared,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re attempting to ensure that that the ship has as much information as they will \u2026 that you just\u2019re cared for and naturally, that you just get home safely.\u201d<\/p>\n In an announcement shared on Tuesday<\/a>, the WHO said, \u201cSince 1 April when the boat set sail, of the 147 passengers and crew, 7 people have grow to be in poor health, amongst whom 3 have died, 1 is critically in poor health and three are reporting mild symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBased on the present information, including how hantavirus spreads, WHO assesses the chance to the worldwide population from this event as low,\u201d the statement added. \u201cWe’re working closely with health authorities from the countries involved and the ship\u2019s operators to make sure passengers and crew get the knowledge and support they need.\u201d<\/p>\n The WHO said it should \u201cproceed to observe the situation and update the chance assessment as more information becomes available.\u201d<\/p>\n Two of the individuals who died were identified as a Dutch couple, a person aged 70 and a lady aged 69.<\/p>\n Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The person died on arrival on the island of St. Helena. The girl, who also became in poor health on board, was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, South African Health Ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale said in an announcement to Global News.<\/p>\n Get every day Canada news delivered to your inbox so you may never miss the day’s top stories.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cOn 2 May, one other passenger on board died. The cause has not yet been established. This passenger was of German nationality,\u201d based on Oceanwide Expeditions<\/a>, the Dutch company that operates the cruise ship.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The MV Hondius, a Dutch ship on a weeks-long polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and a number of other isolated islands within the South Atlantic, has been waiting for help after authorities on the island of Cape Verde, off the West African coast, refused to permit passengers to disembark on account of public health concerns.<\/p>\n Footage obtained by The Associated Press showed the ship\u2019s decks mostly deserted, with only just a few people wearing medical masks moving about. Common halls were empty as passengers were isolated of their cabins. Not less than five individuals with full protective gear, white overalls, boots and face masks, were seen disembarking from the ship right into a small vessel.<\/p>\n Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Authorities in Cape Verde sent teams of doctors, surgeons, nurses and laboratory specialists to supply the vessel with medical support.<\/p>\n\n
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