A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three dead and 150 passengers and crew stranded. The MV Hondius, a Dutch polar expedition ship, is at the center of the investigation.
"We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission among close contacts," said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO. The Andes strain, prevalent in South America, can spread through prolonged close contact. The ship departed from Argentina, where the couple who died may have contracted the virus. No rodents have been found on board, and authorities suspect the virus originated on land.
The deceased include a 70-year-old Dutch man, his 69-year-old wife, and a German passenger. A British passenger is critically ill. Four additional suspected cases are being monitored. All sick passengers are being evacuated by helicopter. The ship is heading to Spain's Canary Islands, and passengers may be quarantined for up to eight weeks.