Hantavirus Cases Reported on Cruise Ship off West Africa

Paramedics worked on Monday to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly hantavirus from a luxury cruise ship off West Africa. The disease was suspected on board the vessel, which was carrying mainly British, American and Spanish passengers.

About 150 people remained on board after three passengers died and others fell ill.

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) confirmed the virus in one patient. A source said a Dutch woman who had died had also tested positive. However, it remains unclear whether hantavirus caused the other deaths. The disease is spread through particles from rodent droppings and is difficult to transmit between humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified seven cases on the ship and stressed that the risk to the public is low. As a precaution, Cape Verde refused to allow the vessel to dock.

Passengers have been required to remain in their cabins because the incubation period can last several weeks. Oceanwide Expeditions is trying to arrange the return of sick crew members and is examining whether passengers can disembark in the Canary Islands. The source of the outbreak is not yet known.

(reuters, bak)