Several people on the cruise ship Hondius have fallen ill following a virus outbreak. According to WHO, eight cases have now been confirmed, and additional suspected cases are under investigation.
"Eight cases have been laboratory confirmed as Andes virus infections, two are probable cases and one case is still unclear and is undergoing further testing," WHO said in its latest update on Wednesday.
All of the confirmed infected people were on board the Hondius. Three of the people have died in connection with the outbreak.
Among the people on the ship, at least 18 have been monitored in the US in recent days. One of these has now tested negative and has been released from quarantine.
Facts: Hantavirus
Hantavirus infections are caused by around 35 different, closely related variants of hantavirus that have been reported worldwide.
Hantavirus infection is a zoonosis, meaning a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans. In one variant, the Andes virus, mainly found in South America, human-to-human transmission has also been demonstrated.
In Sweden, only the Puumala virus variant, which causes the disease bat fever, is found.
Each hantavirus has a specific rodent species as its host. Hantavirus does not normally cause disease in rodents, but they can carry the virus for a long time. Viruses are excreted in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected rodents.
Depending on the type of hantavirus, infection can range from completely asymptomatic to very severe forms of hemorrhagic fever or acute pulmonary syndrome with a high mortality rate.
Source: Public Health Agency of Sweden
