How did the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak begin?
A Dutch couple in Ushuaia, Argentina, appeared to have contracted the virus while visiting a landfill during a bird-watching tour before boarding a cruise ship, two Argentine officials told The Associated Press.
According to the WHO, on April 6, five days after the MV Hondius left Argentina, the man began showing symptoms of fever, headache and mild diarrhea. By April 11, the man developed a respiratory illness and died on board.
According to the Associated Press, the man’s body was removed from a ship docked on St. Helena Island in the Atlantic Ocean on April 24. On the same day, he developed gastrointestinal symptoms and disembarked.
According to the WHO, the woman’s symptoms “worsened” when she flew to Johannesburg on April 25. She died on April 26th upon arrival at a local hospital.
She was 69 years old and her husband was 70, according to the New York Times.
Who died in the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak?
In addition to the couple, a female passenger also died on May 2 after suffering “symptoms of pneumonia,” according to the WHO. She had complained of fever and general unwellness on April 28, before her death.
