WHO: Hantavirus risk to wider public remains low after cruise ship outbreak

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said on Monday that the risk posed by hantavirus to the wider public remained low after three people died and three fell ill after a Netherlands-based cruise ship was hit by a suspected ​outbreak of the rodent-borne virus.

"The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions," said WHO regional director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, in a statement.

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The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.

The first person to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died on board the ship and his body was currently on the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic, Mohale the South African spokesman said.

His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, he said, adding that they were not yet able to confirm the victims’ nationalities.

The third case, a 69-year-old Briton, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he was being treated in intensive care.

A source close to the case speaking on condition of anonymity had said a Dutch couple were among the dead. The third fatality was still on board the ship.

Discussions were under way to decide whether two other sick passengers should be placed in isolation in hospital in Cape Verde, after which the ship would continue to Spain’s Canary Islands, the anonymous source said. — Reuters