Portugal Monitors Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
The Portuguese Ministry of Health announced on Monday that it is closely monitoring an outbreak of the deadly hantavirus aboard a cruise ship currently sailing toward Europe. While the ship is carrying dozens of passengers of various nationalities, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) maintains that the current risk to Portugal remains low.
High-Level Health Briefing
The situation prompted an urgent meeting between the Secretary of State for Health, Ana Povo, and the Director-General of Health, Rita Sá Machado. Following the briefing, the Ministry confirmed it is coordinating with the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) to ensure an “immediate response” should the virus pose a threat to the mainland.
“This meeting served to provide an update on this outbreak, which has been monitored by national and international health authorities,” the ministry said in a statement. Director-General Rita Sá Machado emphasized that because the outbreak is localized to the vessel, no specific preventive measures are currently required for the Portuguese general public.
Fatalities and Human-to-Human Transmission
The outbreak has already turned fatal. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three people traveling on the MV Hondius have died. While there are currently five suspected cases and two laboratory-confirmed infections, the nature of the virus has raised international alarms.
South African health officials reported today that the strain detected in a passenger previously evacuated to South Africa is the Andean strain. This specific variant is particularly concerning to scientists as it is the only known strain of hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission. Most hantavirus infections are typically acquired through contact with infected rodents.
The MV Hondius Journey
The MV Hondius is currently home to 149 people, including 88 passengers and 61 crew members of 23 different nationalities. The vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 for a South Atlantic wildlife expedition. Illnesses began appearing between April 6 and 28, with patients suffering from fever and gastrointestinal distress that rapidly progressed to pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, and shock.
After a recent stop near Praia, Cape Verde, the ship is now heading for Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is expected to arrive within three days. The Spanish government confirmed that once the ship docks, those on board will be evacuated and repatriated under the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
The DGS continues to coordinate with the WHO and remains under the framework of International Health Regulations to monitor the vessel’s progress and the health of those on board.
Image: Pexels – Frederick Adegoke Snr.
