The Hague, May 5: The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a second case of hantavirus infection aboard a ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This brings the total number of infected individuals to two, as reported by the Dutch cruise ship operator, Oceanwide Expeditions.
According to the company, the new case involves a Dutch female passenger who passed away on April 27. Previously, a Dutch couple and a German citizen had also died from the virus. Additionally, two crew members are currently ill. Approximately 150 people remain on the ship. Another infected passenger, a British citizen, has disembarked and is receiving treatment in an ICU in Johannesburg, South Africa.
As reported by Xinhua News Agency, the company stated that two crew members are still facing severe respiratory issues. One is in stable condition, while the other is more critically ill, both requiring immediate medical attention. These crew members are citizens of the UK and the Netherlands. No other individuals have shown symptoms so far.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses typically found in rodents, which can cause severe illness in humans. The infection generally spreads through contact with infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is rare.
The virus spreads when a person touches the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents or comes into contact with contaminated surfaces. This often occurs during cleaning in areas with high rodent infestations. The disease is more commonly observed in rural, forested, or agricultural areas where rodent populations are high.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) initially presents symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, chills, fever, and muscle aches. Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain may also occur. Later, severe complications can arise, including sudden difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure.
Symptoms typically appear 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. However, in some cases, symptoms may manifest within a week, while in others, they can take up to 8 weeks to develop.
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