Five cases of hantavirus confirmed in relation to outbreak on cruise ship

The World Health Organization says five confirmed infections of hantavirus have been identified among people connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius, as health authorities across several countries race to trace and contain the outbreak.

Three of the five people – a Dutch couple and a German national – have died since the vessel departed Argentina last month.

Another three are suspected cases.

All passengers who disembarked in St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, where the ship made a stop on April 24, have been contacted. This included people from 12 countries.

Addressing a press conference Thursday, WHO Chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said the authorities from these countries, including the Caribbean, have been alerted.

"Those twelve countries are Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America," he listed.

The first confirmed case of hantavirus in this outbreak came in early May.

Dr. Ghebreyesus said, given the incubation period of this disease, which can be up to six weeks, it is possible more cases may be reported. But he repeated that the risk to the general public is low.

The WHO says it is working on step-by-step guidance for when the dozens of passengers remaining on the ship, which is sailing to the Canary Islands, arrives on the weekend and the passengers disembark and travel home.

None of these passengers currently have symptoms.

Investigations into the cause of the outbreak are continuing.

Five cases of hantavirus confirmed in relation to outbreak on cruise ship

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