Source: Al Jazeera
In its continued effort to contain the looming threat of another global outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to closely monitor passengers linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship following the detection of a 12th confirmed hantavirus case in the ongoing outbreak in the Netherlands.
During a briefing at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that all countries should waste no time in tracking the whereabouts of individuals who were on board the vessel. He also urged them to "move carefully for the remainder of the quarantine period" as health authorities work to contain potential spread.
The total number of infected individuals in the hantavirus outbreak has now risen to 12 worldwide, with the addition of a crew member from the Dutch ship Hondius. He has since been placed in isolation and hospitalized as a precaution. So far, the number of reported fatalities is three.
On a lighter note, Tedros reported that no new deaths have occurred since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported to the WHO. Around 600 individuals are currently being monitored across 30 countries, while health officials continue to trace a small number of high-risk persons of interest. Given the hantavirus incubation period of about six weeks, these individuals remain under close observation.
Dutch public health authorities confirmed that the positive case was verified by two laboratories. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) stressed that the likelihood of further transmission within the Netherlands remains very low, as the unnamed crew member remains isolated and closely monitored. Authorities also suspect that the initial spread may be linked to rodent exposure during earlier expedition activities, although the exact source remains under investigation.
To help curb the spread of the Andes virus, the WHO continues to emphasize constant vigilance, particularly in monitoring international passengers who may have been exposed, as investigations into the outbreak's origin continue.
