WHO Responds to Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to Cruise Ship

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an emergency response following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus linked to a cruise ship, with three deaths recorded and several other cases under medical observation among passengers traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde. The Regional Director for Africa, Mohan Yakub Janabi, described the situation as serious and emphasized the need to calm the public, stating there is no need for panic at this stage.

Health authorities confirmed one case through laboratory tests, while five additional cases are under investigation, with patients currently receiving intensive care in South Africa. Bhanu Bhatnagar noted that hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents and are not easily transmitted between people, indicating that the risk to the wider public remains low.

The WHO is coordinating medical evacuations and working closely with national authorities to monitor the health of passengers and crew, ensuring that science-based actions are prioritized to limit the virus's spread.