A rare and unsettling health situation has unfolded on the Netherlands-based cruise ship MV Hondius. The ship was travelling across the South Atlantic, pulling multiple countries into a coordinated alert. The MV Hondius outbreak triggered international concern because of the Andes strain of hantavirus. The virus identified in the confirmed cases was Andes strain only. As per experts, the Andes strain is the only strain of virus associated with documented evidence of limited human-to-human transmission.
The vessel was carrying less than 150 individuals and was reportedly moving through remote regions including Antarctica and isolated Atlantic islands. The health authorities are now tracking exposure routes, passenger movements, and possible points of infection.
WHO has officially identified at least 12 countries connected to the outbreak response. Some are direclty involved while, others have been notified because their nationals were on board or passed through stopover points.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a strain of virus carried by rodents and present in various parts around the globe. It affects people upon contact with an infected rodent or inhalation of dust containing its excrement, urine, and saliva. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. It primarily affects the lungs and kidneys. The infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location.
Viral family and classification
Hantavirus belong to the family of Hantaviridae, within the order Bunyavirales. Each hantavirus is typically associated with a specific rodent reservoir specie. Only a limited number are known to cause human disease.
Hantaviruses present in North, Central and South America causes hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). The Andes virus, part of this family is known to to cause limited human-to-human transmission. Hantaviruses found in Europe and Asia are known to cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
Treatment
There is no licensed specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus infection. Treatment mainly focuses on supportive care including rest and fluids.
