The World Health Organisation (WHO) has addressed the potential for a hantavirus outbreak following a flare-up of the rat-borne disease on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. While a mass outbreak is deemed unlikely, health officials anticipate more cases in the coming weeks due to the virus's long incubation period.
Current Situation
So far, 11 cruise passengers have contracted hantavirus, resulting in three deaths. Two individuals who were not aboard the MV Hondius have been hospitalised with suspected infections. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at a Madrid press conference on May 12 that there is no sign of a larger outbreak, but the situation could change.
Incubation Period Concerns
Dr Tedros explained that the first case on the ship was reported on April 6, and due to extensive passenger interaction before preventive measures were implemented, more cases are expected. The incubation period for hantavirus is six to eight weeks, which means additional infections may surface as passengers return to their home countries.
“We would expect more cases because, as you may remember, the index case – the first case in the ship – was on April 6 … [and] there was a lot of interaction, actually, with the passengers. And as you know, the incubation period is also six to eight weeks,” he said.
Repatriation and Monitoring
Passengers have largely been repatriated, and individual nations are now responsible for managing health risks. Ten Brits linked to the outbreak are being brought to the UK from the overseas territories of St Helena and Ascension Island to complete self-isolation as a precaution. This group will join 20 Brits, a German-UK resident, and a Japanese passenger already isolating at Arrowe Park in Merseyside, who are about to begin 42 days of home isolation under daily monitoring.
Suspected Cases in Europe
Hospitals in France and Italy are testing two individuals who may have contracted hantavirus despite not being passengers on the MV Hondius. In Italy, a 25-year-old man is in quarantine after sharing a KLM flight with Mirjam Schilperoord, 69, who later became the ship's second hantavirus death. In Brittany, France, another person is being tested for the infection. Results are pending.
Dr Tedros urged countries to take care of patients and passengers, helping them and protecting their citizens. “I hope they will take care of the patients and the passengers, helping them and also protecting their citizens as well. That’s what we expect,” he said.
