List of countries linked to deadly hantavirus as ‘patient zero’ identified after visiting rat-infested landfill

Several countries are now being linked to the suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius as evacuated passengers return home under strict health monitoring.

Passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius have now been evacuated following the serious hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel. On Sunday, passengers began being flown home from Tenerife on military and government-chartered flights.

The evacuation took place under strict safety measures. Passengers were escorted ashore by crew members wearing full-body protective suits and respirators, while many travelers were also seen wearing protective gear.

The operation involves passengers from more than 20 countries and is expected to continue for several days. Spanish nationals were the first to leave the ship and were flown to Madrid, while French travelers were transported to Paris, where medical personnel were waiting upon arrival.

Meanwhile, an American passenger has tested positive for hantavirus.

“A disease of major public health concern”

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to rodents, including contact with urine, feces, saliva, or airborne particles from dried droppings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “HCPS has a high case fatality rate, commonly between 20% and 40%, making it a disease of major public health concern.”

WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove addressed the outbreak during a recent press conference.

“This is not the next Covid, but it is a serious infectious disease. If people get infected, and infections are uncommon, they can die. People on the ship who are hearing this are very scared, rightly so,” she said.

“The general public might be scared as well. Accurate information is critical. Knowing what your actual exposure might be – most people will never be exposed to this.”

Countries linked to hantavirus

Passengers will now be closely monitored in their home countries, with several nations reportedly planning quarantines and additional health screenings in the coming weeks.

Investigators believe a Dutch couple likely contracted the virus while visiting a landfill area in Ushuaia that may have been heavily populated by rodents. Officials suspect the couple then unknowingly brought the infection onboard the ship.

Several countries have possible links to the virus, according to The Independent, including Argentina, Cape Verde, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Denmark, Germany, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and France.

Dr. Alexandra Wharton-Smith, a global health researcher and infectious disease specialist, told UNILAD: “I believe we will see a small increase in cases in the coming weeks and anyone who has been exposed will need to be monitored from the date of their exposure to a case up until the end of the incubation period, so it is possible there may be cases popping up in the coming months.

“But we are still learning about this type of hantavirus. Past outbreaks have been relatively small. We will know more by tracing these cases and their contacts in the coming weeks.”

She continued: “My advice for now is not to worry, stay up to date with the news from reliable sources and carry on as normal.”