A total of twenty-three passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, who were unknowingly exposed to hantavirus, have returned home to countries across the world including the United States. Among them is a Swiss man who has tested positive for the virus.
Additionally, a Frenchman who came into contact with this infected passenger during air travel has also confirmed infection.
The Andes strain of hantavirus, which typically spreads through rodent droppings, can be transmitted via human-to-human contact and may take up to eight weeks to show symptoms. As a result, it remains unclear how many passengers have been affected or have already spread the virus further.
Authorities state that while this virus has a mortality rate of up to 40%, it is not as contagious as SARS-CoV-2. Experts emphasize that transmission requires close personal contact, such as prolonged conversations over meals, rather than casual interactions.
The outbreak occurred during a stop at Saint Helena on April 23, when passengers began returning home after the ship’s brief visit to the South Atlantic island. Investigators in Argentina now believe a Dutch couple contracted the virus while bird-watching near a landfill in Ushuaia, Argentina, days before the ship departed from that port on March 20.
Both members of the Dutch couple have since died.
According to sources, contact tracing efforts began only three days ago, despite the first case being reported on April 6. This delay has raised concerns about the potential for further spread among those who have already returned home.
