Investigation into Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
Epidemiologists are working hard to uncover the origins of a hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. So far, they have dismissed some of the theories circulating online.
Dr. Boris Pavlin, who leads the World Health Organization’s field and humanitarian epidemiology team, spoke about the ongoing investigation. He pointed out that although there are still many questions, clues are helping to narrow down the source of the outbreak.
According to Dr. Pavlin, evidence suggests that the virus did not originate from the area in Argentina where the ship departed. Instead, it’s believed to come from the Andes Cordillera region in northern Argentina and Chile, where the long-tailed rice rat, a known carrier of the virus, is common. He stated, “There’s every reason to believe this came from rodents.”
The WHO has confirmed that the initial hantavirus cases on the MV Hondius were among people who had traveled to the Andes. Dr. Pavlin noted, “We expect that exposure happened in one of those locations, but the exact site is still unclear.”
One theory proposed was that the virus could have come from a bird-watching landfill in Ushuaia, Argentina, where an infected couple visited. However, health officials now believe this theory is unlikely.
Dr. Omer Awan, a public health expert, shared insights with ABC News, explaining that the Andes strain of hantavirus requires direct inhalation of particles from infected rodents, especially in closed environments. He emphasized, “Bird watching is not going to lead to the Andes strain.”
The couple mentioned in the bird-watching theory also visited Patagonia, which is over a thousand miles away from the landfill, complicating the idea that the virus originated there.
This year, Argentina has already recorded over 100 hantavirus cases, leading to more than 30 deaths. Notably, not all areas have the rice rat, which carries the disease.
Dr. Awan highlighted that the investigation is still in its early stages, urging public health officials to focus on controlling the virus’s spread. He remarked, “The more important public health conversation here is to ensure the virus is contained. Discovering the exact origins would be a bonus.”
