Hantavirus outbreak spreads to Europe after MV Hondius cruise passenger tests positive back home

The deadly hantavirus outbreak has spread to Europe after a passenger who had already left the MV Hondius cruise ship tested positive once back home, authorities announced in an alarming update Wednesday.

Swiss authorities said the man returned home last month following a trip to South America with his wife before testing positive for the virus, which can lie dormant for up to eight weeks.

He went to a Zurich hospital for testing after the cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, emailed recent passengers about the spreading virus that has killed three people and sickened at least five, the World Health Organization said.

It was not immediately clear what condition the man was in. and if His wife hasn’t shown any symptoms but she is self-isolating as a precaution.

Local health authorities maintained Wednesday that “there is currently no risk to the Swiss public.”

However, the news is sparking panic given that the virus appears to be spreading via “human-to-human transmission” and can be dangerous for eight weeks — with the cruise stranded at sea with alarmed countries scared of allowing it to dock.

The virus is usually spread through rodent droppings – but one rare strain, the Andes virus, can spread between people and carries a 40% mortality rate – and it’s likely the culprit behind the outbreak.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told reporters Tuesday that “we do believe there may be some human-to-human transmission among very close contacts.”

Three people have died as a result of the outbreak, according to the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, three suspected patients have been evacuated from the MV Hondius in Cape Verde and are set to travel to the Netherlands, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, confirmed Wednesday.

“At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low,” he said.

The ship was stranded in West African waters after being denied permission to dock in Cape Verde due to health concerns.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez granted the vessel permission to dock in the Canary Islands – but the island’s regional leader, Fernando Clavijo, was left furious by the decision.

“I cannot allow it to enter the Canary Islands,” Fernando Clavijo told local media outlet Onda Cero. 

“Neither the populace nor the government of the Canary Islands can rest assured because it is clear that the danger to the population is real.”

Clavijo, a conservative pol, has requested a meeting with socialist prime minister Sanchez.

The Madrid government said that, “Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”

The national government can overrule regional authorities in Spain under its constitution.

With Post wires