Fatal Andean Hantavirus Outbreak Confirmed on Cruise Ship
South African health officials have confirmed that the hantavirus strain detected in a passenger recently evacuated from a cruise ship is the Andean strain—the only known version of the virus capable of spreading through human-to-human contact.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi informed a parliamentary committee on Monday that testing conducted in Johannesburg identified the specific pathogen. “Initial tests show that it is, in fact, the Andean strain,” Motsoaledi explained. “This is the only strain, among the 38 known strains, that can be transmitted from one person to another.”
Tragedy and Containment Efforts
The announcement follows the emergency transfer of two passengers from the vessel to South African medical facilities. One of those patients has since died, while the second remains hospitalized under medical care. Their identities and nationalities have not been released.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday that at least three deaths are now linked to this suspected outbreak. The virus typically causes acute respiratory syndrome, characterized by a rapid and dangerous progression of symptoms.
The Outbreak Timeline
The cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20, was on a wildlife observation tour through the South Atlantic destined for the Canary Islands. The vessel is carrying 149 people, including 88 passengers from 23 different countries.
According to reports from the WHO, the ship’s medical logs show that illnesses began appearing between April 6 and April 28. Patients initially presented with fever and gastrointestinal distress, but many quickly developed pneumonia and acute respiratory syndrome leading to shock.
Current Status and Risk Assessment
The ship is currently at anchor off the coast of Praia, Cape Verde, as health authorities determine the next steps for those on board. Despite the human-to-human transmission capability of this specific strain, the WHO currently assesses the global risk as low.
International health agencies are continuing to monitor the epidemiological situation and have pledged to provide updates as more data becomes available from the remaining passengers and crew.
Image: Pexels – Diego F. Parra
