No Sign of Larger Hantavirus Outbreak from Cruise Ship, WHO Says
There is “no sign” of a larger hantavirus outbreak.
A Cautious Assessment
That is the message from the head of the UN health agency. The last passengers have now been evacuated from the disease-stricken cruise ship. However, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that “the situation could change”. More confirmed cases may appear. The Ship Is Now
The MV Hondius left Tenerife on Monday. It is sailing to the Dutch port of Rotterdam. Two flights carrying the final 28 passengers landed in nearby Eindhoven on Tuesday.Three people have died after travelling on the ship. A French national and a Spaniard who returned home have tested positive. The WHO has confirmed nine cases. Two others are suspected.
Serious Cases and Precautions
The French woman is in intensive care in Paris. Doctors say she has “the most severe form” of the disease. She is being treated with an artificial lung. The Spanish patient has mild respiratory symptoms.Twelve employees at a Dutch hospital are now in quarantine. They may have been exposed to the virus. They treated one of the evacuated passengers. The hospital said the workers did not follow strict protocols while handling blood and urine samples.
