An Australian traveller has reportedly returned home after being on board a cruise ship exposed to the deadly hantavirus, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. The passenger was among 23 people who left the MV Hondius on April 21 and returned to their respective countries.
The World Health Organization confirmed a deadly outbreak of hantavirus on the ship, with eight cases reported, including three deaths. Five cases have been confirmed as hantavirus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said it was possible more cases would emerge, but assessed the public health risk as low.
The virus, caused by the Andes virus, is the only known hantavirus species to transmit between humans through close and prolonged contact. It is typically carried by rodents and spreads through contact with rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.
The MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Tenerife around midday Sunday local time, with no passengers allowed to stay in the country or take commercial flights home. Each nation is expected to repatriate its nationals. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular officials were traveling to Tenerife to assist four Australians and a permanent resident on board, none of whom were displaying symptoms.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control is coordinating quarantine requirements, health monitoring, and testing arrangements. Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the ship left waters off Cape Verde and is headed toward the Canary Islands, with 30 people disembarking at St Helena on April 24.
