WHO says public risk remains low in cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

The World Health Organization says the risk to the wider public is low after a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, even as officials continue tracing passengers and close contacts across several countries. Three people have died in the outbreak, and eight others are suspected of being infected. WHO officials said the situation is unusual because it is the first known cluster of hantavirus on a cruise ship. They added that the Andean strain identified in the outbreak can spread between people, but only in rare cases and usually through very close contact. The ship is expected to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers will disembark under health protocols. Canadian authorities said four Canadians remain on board and currently have no symptoms, while three others in Ontario and Quebec are being monitored after returning home. Health agencies in Europe, South Africa, Singapore and other places are also tracking passengers who left the ship earlier, including people who may have been exposed before the outbreak was recognized.