23 passengers on the Hondius cruise ship, who were infected with the Hantavirus, had travelled around the world before the quarantine was imposed
Twenty-three passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius have been ashore for over two weeks after disembarking on Saint Helena on 21 April. This came ten days after the first death on board. According to one of the passengers who remained on the ship, people began returning home after disembarking, reports El País.
The source noted that the passengers had travelled to various countries, including Australia, Taiwan, the US, the UK and the Netherlands. He said there were no Spanish nationals among them.
Despite this, there was no contact with medical services for a long time. According to the passenger, some people were only contacted several days after contact tracing began, whilst others received a message only the day before.
At least one of the passengers who disembarked was hospitalised in Switzerland. According to available information, he was found to be infected with the hantavirus after seeking hospital treatment due to feeling unwell.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed that the outbreak on board the MV Hondius was caused by the Andes virus. A total of eight cases have been recorded, three of which have been laboratory-confirmed. Three people have died, one is in intensive care in Johannesburg, and another patient has been hospitalised in Switzerland.
Hantaviruses belong to a large group of viruses, of which at least 38 species are known, 24 of which are capable of causing disease in humans. The Andes virus is the only variant for which human-to-human transmission has been established. Such transmission is associated with close and prolonged contact.
