Countries scramble to track passengers of hantavirus cruise ship

"Three people - a Dutch couple and a German national - died in the outbreak on the MV Hondius. Eight people, including a Swiss citizen, are suspected to have contracted the virus, according to the World Health Organization. The Dutch government has said around 40 passengers had disembarked the ship in Santa Helena, where the ship made a stop on its way to Cape Verde - before the outbreak was reported."

"One of those to disembark was the wife of the Dutchman who had died aboard the ship on April 11. She fell sick herself and died before she could reach the Netherlands. Dutch airline KLM on Wednesday said it had taken the woman off a plane in Johannesburg on April 25 due to her deteriorating medical condition."

"The virus found in the victims has been confirmed as the Andean strain, which can spread among humans through very close contact. Experts have stressed that contagion is very rare and requires very close contact, but the outbreak has put health authorities on high alert."

A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship resulted in three deaths and eight suspected infections. The deceased included a Dutch couple and a German national. Approximately 40 passengers disembarked in Santa Helena before the outbreak was reported, and their current whereabouts remain unknown. One victim's wife, who also died from the virus, was removed from a KLM flight in Johannesburg. A KLM flight attendant who had contact with the deceased woman was hospitalized with possible hantavirus symptoms. The virus strain identified is the Andean variety, which spreads through very close human contact. Health authorities worldwide are monitoring the situation closely.

Read at Irish Independent