WHO: Second Hantavirus Case Detected on Atlantic Ship

(MENAFN) The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a second hantavirus infection aboard a vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, raising the total number of confirmed cases on the ship to two, Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions announced in a statement Monday.

The newly confirmed case involved a Dutch female passenger who died on April 27, the company said.

Approximately 150 people remain aboard the vessel following a string of fatalities and illnesses that have gripped the ship. A Dutch couple and a German national have died, while two crew members have fallen ill. A previously confirmed hantavirus patient — a British national — has since disembarked and is currently receiving intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The operator's statement painted a concerning picture of the ongoing medical situation aboard: "Two crew members on board continue to present acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe. Both require urgent medical care. These crew members are of British and Dutch nationality. At this time, no other persons with symptoms have been identified."

Hantaviruses are a family of rodent-borne pathogens capable of causing severe and potentially fatal illness in humans. The virus is most commonly contracted through direct contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is considered rare, though health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely given the confined environment aboard the vessel.

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