Amid concerns about a potential hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, a top official from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning, highlighting the risk of the rat-borne virus potentially sparking a new pandemic.

The MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship that departed from Argentina en route to Cape Verde, has reported several passengers falling ill since early April, resulting in three fatalities. Currently, there are eight suspected cases and three confirmed infections, with symptoms including fever, gastrointestinal problems, pneumonia, shock, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

In response to the situation, the WHO has sought to provide reassurance, emphasizing that while the outbreak is serious, the risk of widespread transmission remains low. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove clarified that the hantavirus is distinct from the coronavirus, stressing that the current incident is confined to the ship and does not pose a similar threat to public health.

Notably, seven British nationals who disembarked at St Helena on April 24 are being monitored, with two individuals self-isolating in the UK and the rest under observation. The initial hantavirus cases were linked to passengers who visited regions in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay known to harbor rats carrying the virus.

WHO, in coordination with Argentine authorities, is tracking the movements of the affected individuals to prevent further spread of the hantavirus. Despite the ongoing situation, the risk of widespread transmission is deemed low as the cruise ship continues its journey towards the Canary Islands.