An outbreak of a deadly rat virus has affected approximately 150 passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship, leading to tragic fatalities and infections beyond the vessel. The MV Hondius liner reported three deaths, including an elderly Dutch couple, a German woman, and a British passenger in critical condition after being evacuated to South Africa. Health authorities identified the virus as the Andes strain of hantavirus, typically transmitted among close contacts.

The cruise ship, originating from Argentina, is currently awaiting clearance to disembark its passengers and crew. Meanwhile, authorities in various countries are monitoring individuals who were on board the vessel but disembarked before the fatalities occurred. Hantavirus can spread from rodents to humans through contact with infected animals, their droppings, saliva, or urine, posing risks of respiratory exposure or direct contact transmission.

With passengers from 23 countries, including the UK, aboard the liner, officials are swiftly conducting contact tracing to identify potential cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with countries to facilitate international contact tracing efforts and prevent further disease transmission.

The luxury cruise ship encountered a three-day delay off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa due to restrictions on docking. Subsequently, Spain authorized the liner to dock at the Canary Islands, the nearest port with necessary facilities. The evacuation process is scheduled to commence on Monday, following the ship’s expected arrival over the weekend. Despite approval from Spain, the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, expressed opposition to allowing the ship to enter the region.

Passengers and crew on the affected vessel are undergoing health monitoring and contact tracing measures to mitigate the spread of the rat virus.