WHO Investigates Rare Human-to-Human Hantavirus Transmission on Cruise Ship

A severely ill patient is receiving intensive care in South Africa, while three others with mild symptoms remain onboard. Authorities in Cape Verde have refused to allow disembarkation, but Spain has agreed to let the ship dock. The WHO has stated that the risk to the general public remains low.

"We suspect that there is human-to-human transmission with very close contact," said a WHO spokesperson, echoing concerns about the unusual spread. The German verbatim quote from the organization was: *"Wir vermuten, dass es bei sehr engem Kontakt eine Übertragung von Mensch zu Mensch gibt."*

Rare Transmission and Virus Origins

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with aerosolized excrement from infected rodents, such as mice. Human-to-human transmission is rare, but the WHO suspects the Andes strain—found in Argentina and Chile—may be responsible. Virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit noted that this strain is one of the few capable of spreading between people, unlike European variants.

The cruise began in Ushuaia, southern Argentina, in March, with stops in remote locations like Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic. The WHO theorizes the Dutch couple may have contracted the virus before boarding, potentially starting the infection chain. The mortality rate for South American Hantavirus strains is around 30%, significantly higher than European variants.

There is no specific treatment for Hantavirus; medical care focuses on managing symptoms. The WHO continues to monitor the situation, emphasizing that widespread transmission is unlikely.