The number of people infected with hantavirus on the cruise ship M/V Hondius has reached eight

The number of people infected with hantavirus on the cruise ship M/V Hondius has increased to eight people. This was announced on May 6 by the press service of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"As of May 6, eight cases have been registered, three of which have been confirmed by laboratory tests as hantavirus," reads a post on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

It clarifies that at the moment, WHO's goal is to provide patients who have come into contact with them, passengers and crew members with the necessary information and support to ensure their safety and prevent the further spread of the virus.

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France 24 TV channel reported on May 3 that an outbreak of hantavirus had occurred on board the M/V Hondius cruise ship en route from Argentina to Cape Verde, killing at least two people.

On May 5, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, epidemiologist, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Onishchenko ruled out the threat of the spread of hantaviruses in Russia. He noted that, if necessary, specialists will be able to cope with the situation.

South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on May 6 that virologists in South Africa had identified the hantavirus strain that killed three passengers on the M/V Hondius cruise ship. According to him, this is the only strain out of 38 known that can be transmitted between humans.