JOHANNESBURG – An outbreak of what is being described as a ‘severe acute respiratory illness’ on board the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic has resulted in two deaths and left a third person in intensive care in Johannesburg. The incident has triggered contact tracing efforts in South Africa and raised concerns among international health organizations.
The national department of health, Gauteng department of health, and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases are collaborating to conduct contact tracing for individuals who may have been exposed to those from the affected cruise ship. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the potential for the virus to spread and the severity of the illness it causes.
While two individuals died on board the MV Hondius, another two were airlifted to Johannesburg for medical treatment after the ship docked in St Helena over the weekend. The decision to dock in St Helena was likely influenced by the island's regular air service to South Africa, operated by Airlink.
Tragically, one of those airlifted, a 69-year-old Dutch national, collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport as she was about to board a flight home and later died. Her 70-year-old husband had already died on the ship, highlighting the devastating impact of the outbreak.
A 69-year-old British tourist is currently in serious condition in a Johannesburg hospital, the name of which authorities have declined to disclose. The patient's critical condition underscores the severity of the hantavirus infection.
The MV Hondius was en route from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast of west Africa when the outbreak occurred. The ship's journey across the Atlantic has raised concerns about the potential for the virus to spread across continents.
It remains unclear whether Airlink personnel may have been exposed and subsequently quarantined, or whether similar measures have been implemented for those in South Africa who may have come into contact with the infected patients. The lack of information regarding potential exposure and quarantine measures has fueled public anxiety.
The suspected outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship, which has claimed three lives, is considered a low risk to the general public, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe. However, the agency is closely monitoring the situation and providing support to affected countries.
“The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions,” said the WHO director for Europe, Hans Kluge. Kluge added that hantavirus infections are “uncommon and usually linked to exposure to infected rodents.”
In a statement regarding the crisis, the vessel’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed three deaths among those on board the MV Hondius. The company is cooperating with authorities to manage the outbreak and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
However, the president of Cape Verde’s National Institute of Public Health stated that the ship “was not granted authorisation to dock at the port of Praia,” where it is currently anchored, in an interview with RTC public broadcaster on Sunday. The decision to deny the ship permission to dock reflects concerns about the potential for the virus to spread within Cape Verde.
“Here in the country, passengers will not be able to disembark – precisely to protect the Cape Verdean population,” Maria da Luz Lima said. The health official's statement underscores the government's commitment to protecting its citizens from the outbreak.
The Dutch foreign ministry has stated that it is “busy looking at the possibilities to medically evacuate a few people from the ship.” Efforts to evacuate the sick passengers are underway, but logistical challenges and concerns about further spread of the virus are complicating the process.
While local doctors have visited the ship to assess the medical condition of the two sick passengers, no permission has been granted to evacuate them to shore. The delay in evacuation has raised concerns about the well-being of the remaining passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius.
WHO has stated that it is “acting with urgency to support the response to the hantavirus event on board a cruise vessel in the Atlantic, following the tragic loss of life.” The agency's involvement highlights the international concern surrounding the outbreak.
On Sunday, WHO reported that one case of hantavirus had been confirmed and that there were “five additional suspected cases.” The agency is working with national authorities to investigate the outbreak and implement appropriate control measures.
“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response,” the United Nations health agency said. The WHO's statement emphasizes the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of the hantavirus outbreak.
Hantavirus is contracted through exposure to the bodily fluids and excrement of rats and mice. This mode of transmission underscores the importance of rodent control and hygiene in preventing the spread of the virus.
“Hantavirus infections are zoonotic viruses typically transmitted to humans via infected rodents,” The Lancet medical journal reported. The journal's statement highlights the link between rodents and hantavirus transmission.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that hantavirus can cause one of two syndromes: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The CDC's information provides a clear understanding of the potential health consequences of hantavirus infection.
Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide. This highlights the global threat posed by hantaviruses.
HPS is a potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs, while HFRS is a severe and sometimes deadly disease that affects the kidneys. The CDC's statement underscores the severity of the diseases caused by hantavirus.
Early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue are often confused with influenza, making early diagnosis and treatment challenging. The similarity of hantavirus symptoms to those of influenza can delay diagnosis and potentially worsen outcomes.
