"No Treatment Available... 3 Die from Hantavirus Infection on Cruise Ship"
WHO Launches Investigation and Response
At Least Six Suspected Cases, One Confirmed
Three people have died and another three have developed symptoms suspected to be caused by hantavirus infection on a cruise ship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an investigation.
According to the Associated Press (AP) on May 4 (local time), the WHO stated in a press release that at least six suspected cases have been identified on the ship, with three deaths reported among them. One of the cases has been confirmed as a hantavirus infection. According to the WHO, one patient is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital in South Africa. The other two symptomatic individuals are in the process of being transferred off the ship.
The photo is for illustrative purposes and is not related to specific content. Pixabay
View original imageThe WHO has not officially disclosed the name of the ship. However, local South African media have reported that the outbreak occurred on the 'MV Hondius.' The vessel is a Dutch-flagged passenger cruise ship operating on the Antarctic-Atlantic route. It departed from Argentina and is currently docked in Cabo Verde, West Africa.
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A South African health authority official stated, "The first victim, a man in his 70s, died onboard, and his spouse subsequently passed away at a hospital in South Africa." All of the patients developed respiratory symptoms onboard, which began like the flu and rapidly progressed to respiratory failure.
Infection Through Rodent Droppings or Contact
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with the droppings of rodents such as mice. Although rare, human-to-human transmission is also possible, and infection can lead to severe respiratory illness. The fatality rate for the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is approximately 30-40%, while the rate for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is about 1-15%. The risk of infection in daily life is very low and is mainly associated with high-risk environments such as old rural buildings or warehouses and cabins with a large rodent population. There is currently no definitive treatment available, but early intervention can increase survival rates.
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