Hantavirus Cases Linked to MV Hondius Rise to 13

The number of hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has risen to 13 after a new infection was recorded in Spain, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

According to the WHO, three people linked to the outbreak have died, though no further deaths have been reported since 2 May. Tedros said the situation remained stable, with infected passengers receiving medical care and other passengers and crew members under health monitoring.

All remaining passengers, crew members and medical personnel have disembarked from the ship over the past two weeks. Authorities are continuing to monitor their health and investigate how the virus spread on board.

Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses. Humans usually become infected by inhaling particles contaminated with the urine, saliva or feces of infected animals.

The WHO estimates that between 10,000 and 100,000 hantavirus infections are identified worldwide each year.

(reuters, max)