World Health Organization said Thursday that additional hantavirus cases could still emerge following an outbreak linked to a cruise ship, but it expected the situation to remain limited if public health measures are followed.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva that five confirmed cases and three suspected cases had been reported, including three deaths, in connection with the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.
“Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, it’s possible that more cases may be reported,” Tedros said.
The outbreak has been linked to passengers aboard the MV Hondius, which was carrying 149 people, including 88 passengers, as it traveled from South America toward the Canary Islands.
Health authorities said at least three passengers died and others became ill while on board or after disembarking in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and South Africa.
A fourth infected passenger arrived in Europe on Thursday as investigators continued tracing people who were on or left the ship during its voyage.
The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, said no symptomatic individuals remained on board as the vessel continued toward Tenerife, Spain, where evacuations are expected after arrival.
WHO emergency response official Abdi Rahman Mahamud said the outbreak was expected to remain contained if coordinated response measures were implemented.
“We believe this will be a limited outbreak if the public health measures are implemented and solidarity shown across all countries,” Mahamud said.
Hantavirus is a rare disease typically transmitted from rodents and can cause severe respiratory and cardiac complications. The strain involved in the outbreak, Andes virus, can also spread between humans.
Officials said one passenger likely contracted the virus before boarding in Argentina and transmission occurred during the voyage. Authorities in Argentina and other countries are conducting contact tracing, including efforts to identify passengers from affected flights and disembarkation points.
The MV Hondius outbreak remains under investigation as health officials monitor potential additional cases during the virus’s incubation period, which can last up to six weeks.