3 evacuated off cruise ship with suspected hantavirus cluster, WHO says

Three individuals have been safely evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship in an effort to address a suspected hantavirus cluster on board, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The evacuation took place in London and Belgrade, Serbia, with the patients being transferred to awaiting ambulances on shore. Subsequently, they were scheduled to board a special medevac flight bound for the Netherlands.

In a statement on social media, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the organization’s ongoing collaboration with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health status of both passengers and crew members. He assured that appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation measures would be implemented as necessary to mitigate any potential risks.

As of Wednesday, the WHO reported a total of eight suspected cases of hantavirus among passengers on the MV Hondius, marking an increase from the previous count of seven cases. Lab testing confirmed three of these cases, prompting swift action to address the situation.

Swiss authorities confirmed a hantavirus case in a passenger from the cruise ship, who promptly sought medical care upon receiving notification from the ship’s operator. Unfortunately, there have been three fatalities linked to the reported cases, including a married couple from the Netherlands.

Cape Verde officials disclosed plans for the MV Hondius to sail to Tenerife, a Spanish island where further investigations, including lab testing and clinical assessments, would be conducted by Spanish health authorities. However, the president of the Canary Islands expressed opposition to allowing the ship to dock at Tenerife, citing concerns over public safety and insufficient information to support the decision.

In response to the evolving situation, WHO officials initially indicated that the evacuated individuals would be transported to both the Netherlands and Tenerife. However, this plan was later revised to send all evacuees to the Netherlands for medical evaluation and care.

This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this ongoing public health issue.