Suspected human-to-human transmission of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius currently off the coast of Cape Verde.

The WHO states: "We believe there may be human-to-human transmission among close contacts," said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention. "Given the incubation period for hantavirus, which can range from one to six weeks, we presume that those infected (three of whom died from the virus) were infected outside the ship," and "we believe there may have been human-to-human transmission among those who were in close contact."

Meanwhile, the WHO itself announced that it has started procedures to trace the passengers of the flight on which a Dutch passenger, also infected with hantavirus, was evacuated from the island of St. Helena to Johannesburg, South Africa, where she died in hospital .

The 69-year-old Dutch woman, whose 70-year-old husband died aboard the ship, disembarked in St. Helena on April 24 "with gastrointestinal symptoms" and then boarded a flight to Johannesburg the following day, the WHO said. She died on April 26 and her hantavirus infection was confirmed yesterday. "An investigation has been launched to trace the passengers on this flight," the organization added in a statement.

As for the ship, efforts are underway to find a port for disembarkation. The Canary Islands are considered, but Spain has not yet given its green light.

(Unioneonline)

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