New Delhi, May 08 : Two Indian nationals have been found on board the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been hit by the deadly Hantavirus outbreak.
Yes.. The Hantavirus infection that occurred on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius has caused global concern, with five people already confirmed to be infected and three dead.
This has caused a major global concern, as reports have said that at least two Indians are working as crew members on this luxury research ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.
The ship set sail from Ushuaia on April 1 and is expected to reach the Canary Islands on May 10. Initially, there were about 150 passengers and crew, including citizens of 28 countries, on board.
On April 24, some had disembarked on the island of Saint Helena. The passengers were reported to be from the Philippines, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada and India.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five of the eight suspected cases have been confirmed to be infected with hantavirus. The deceased include a 69-year-old Dutch woman, her husband and a German woman. The deaths are being investigated.
WHO infectious disease expert Maria Van Kerkhove said that the situation should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hantavirus is spread only through very close contact, she said.
Health officials have advised everyone on the ship to wear masks, and those who treat and come into contact with infected people should use high levels of personal protective equipment.
Hantavirus is usually spread through contact with infected rats or their feces. However, this time, the WHO said that there is a possibility of person-to-person transmission.
Health officials have taken intensive measures to trace passengers who recently disembarked from the ship and are monitoring the spread of the infection.