Additional Coverage:
- BREAKING: ‘Rat virus’ cruise couple’s birdwatching trip to dump may be source of ship’s hantavirus outbreak (themirror.com)
Health authorities believe the recent deadly hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship may have begun during a bird-watching excursion in Argentina.
Argentinian investigators suspect a Dutch couple contracted the virus while visiting Ushuaia, a city in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province. The couple reportedly spent time near a landfill site, where they may have come into contact with infected rodents carrying the virus. This theory was shared anonymously with the Associated Press on Wednesday.
Notably, neither Ushuaia nor the surrounding region had previously recorded any hantavirus cases, making this development particularly concerning.
The outbreak has so far resulted in multiple deaths aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. On April 11, a Dutch passenger succumbed to the illness, followed by the death of that individual’s wife on April 27, with authorities confirming a hantavirus variant in their cases. A German passenger also died on May 2, though the cause of death remains unconfirmed.
In related updates, Spanish Health Minister Mónica García reported that a British doctor, aged 56 and serving onboard the ship, has improved from critical to stable condition. The doctor was airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment, along with two other patients who are showing symptoms and are in serious condition, according to the ship’s operator, Oceanwide. The British doctor had close contact with the German passenger who passed away.
Despite opposition from Tenerife’s leader, Fernando Clavijo, who expressed concerns about public safety due to limited information, the cruise ship is set to dock in the Canary Islands. Upon arrival, all remaining passengers-currently showing no symptoms-will be evacuated and quarantined.
Spanish nationals aboard will be isolated at a military base near Madrid, while asymptomatic passengers from other countries will be repatriated. There are 14 Spanish citizens on the vessel.
Minister García reassured the public that passengers pose no risk to the Canary Islands’ residents, emphasizing strict protocols to prevent any contact and ensure safety.