Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people still onboard the Dutch expedition vessel
Digital Desk: The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, stranded off the coast of Cape Verde since 3rd May , following a deadly hantavirus outbreak, departed for Spain on May 6 with nearly 150 people onboard. The vessel is currently heading toward Tenerife and is expected to arrive within three days, according to Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García.
Three passengers had earlier been evacuated from the ship, including two who were reported to be in serious condition. Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people still onboard the Dutch expedition vessel, although their health condition has not yet been disclosed.
On 7th May , the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that five out of eight suspected hantavirus cases linked to the cruise had tested positive. Three people have died in connection with the outbreak, including a 69-year-old Dutch woman who was confirmed to have contracted the virus. The deaths of her Dutch husband and a German woman are also under investigation.
The WHO stated that hantavirus usually spreads through infected rodents and their bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, or droppings. However, in this latest outbreak, human-to-human transmission was documented for the first time.
Operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise began its journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and is scheduled to arrive in Spain’s Canary Islands on 10th May.
Hantavirus is considered a rare but serious viral disease caused by rodent-borne viruses. Most human infections occur accidentally after exposure to infected rodents or contaminated environments. India has not reported any large-scale confirmed hantavirus outbreak so far.
Health experts say the virus does not usually spread easily through everyday human interaction. To prevent infection, people are advised to avoid contact with rodents and contaminated areas, seal holes and gaps in homes, store food properly, dispose of garbage safely, and avoid directly touching rodent droppings or urine.
Continue Reading
