The hantavirus outbreak on the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius has taken three lives. So what really happened? Two terrifying possible causes have been identified, with an expert suggesting that passengers might be kept in quarantine for a long time.
A serious outbreak of a rare virus, hantavirus, has occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius. So far, seven people have become sick, and three people have died. One more person is in intensive care, and others are still being checked by doctors. The BBC reports that the ship’s doctor has shown symptoms.
The ship was traveling across the Atlantic Ocean after leaving Argentina, visiting remote places such as Antarctica and small islands.
Health experts think the virus may have originated from contact with animals, especially rodents, during land travel. Hantavirus is usually spread through rat or mouse urine, droppings, or saliva.
However, no rodents have been found on the ship. Because of this, experts are also looking at whether the virus could have spread from person to person, which is rare but possible with a specific type called the Andes virus.
The first passenger became sick in early April and later died. More passengers began showing symptoms such as fever, stomach problems, and breathing issues. Some people were taken off the ship for treatment, while others stayed isolated in their cabins.
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