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Hantavirus Outbreak:The world was still struggling with war and global tensions when the news coming from a luxury cruise ship has increased everyone’s concern. The fear of sudden spread of a dangerous virus among the travelers going on a wonderful trip to Antarctica created a stir in many countries. The matter became serious when the health of people on the ship started deteriorating and later Hantavirus infection was confirmed in some passengers. It has also been found that the virus was a strain which can spread from human to human. This is the reason why health departments of 23 countries are now on alert and many passengers are being monitored.

Luxury Antarctica trip becomes cause for fear

This entire matter is to the luxury cruise ship “MV Hondious”. This ship had left from Ushuaia city of Argentina on 1 April. A total of 147 people were on board the ship, which included 88 passengers and the remaining crew members. This journey was considered very special because the ship had to reach remote areas like Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Tristan da Cunya. The people on board the ship came from 23 different countries. A trip to Antarctica is not like a normal trip. There are no hotels or cities there, so tourists can experience rare things like icy areas, penguins and whales only by staying on a cruise ship.

Suspicion increased due to death of first passenger

A few days after the start of the journey, on April 6, the health of a 70-year-old Dutch traveler suddenly deteriorated. He started suffering from high fever, headache and stomach problems. The doctors present on the ship started treatment, but the condition continued to worsen. On April 11, the passenger started having difficulty breathing and later died. At that time the ship was in the middle of the sea and complete investigation facilities were not available, hence the real cause of death could not be revealed immediately. The cruise company initially described it as a normal natural death. The body was kept in a special freezer of the ship so that it could be landed at the next stop.

After the first death, fear started spreading among the passengers on the ship. Some people also started feeling unwell, although till that time no one had the correct information about the infection. Later the ship reached Tristan da Cunya and then St. Helena Island. Here the body of the deceased passenger was brought down and his wife also got off the ship. During this time another British passenger fell ill. After the news of death and illness spread, many passengers decided to abandon the journey. About 30 to 40 passengers left for different countries from St. Helena.

Wife’s health deteriorated in the plane

The 69-year-old wife of the deceased Dutch traveler flew from St. Helena to Johannesburg, South Africa on April 25. But during the journey, her condition deteriorated and she fainted in the plane. He was taken to the hospital, but he also died the next day. Tests done in the hospital revealed that she was infected with Hantavirus. From here the matter became very serious because it was not ordinary Hantavirus but “Andes Hantavirus”, which can spread from human to human.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is usually spread by rats. This virus is found in the urine, feces or saliva of rats. If a person comes in contact with infected rats or if contaminated dust enters the body through breath, then infection can occur. In this disease, symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, cough and difficulty in breathing are seen. In severe cases, lungs and kidneys can be affected. According to experts, Hantavirus does not usually spread from human to human, but the Andes strain is considered different. This is why health agencies are looking at this matter seriously.

Another death on board

The situation became worse when on May 2, a German passenger on the ship also died. After this, panic increased among the people on board the ship. On May 3, the ship reached the African country Cape Verde, but the authorities there did not allow the ship to land due to the danger. The ship was stopped at sea. The World Health Organization was informed about the matter on 2 May.

Investigation confirmed that the infection found on the ship was to Andes Hantavirus. The biggest concern was about those passengers who had left the ship midway and left for their countries. These included people from many countries including America, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Singapore and Netherlands. Now health agencies of different countries are monitoring these travelers and the people who came in contact with them. Many passengers have been kept in isolation.

Increased concern for passengers stranded on the ship

According to reports, a total of 8 cases have been reported so far, out of which 5 have been confirmed and 3 are suspected. Three people have died and one person is admitted in ICU in South Africa. The people present on the ship are currently living separately in their respective cabins. It is being told that the ship’s doctor has also fallen ill. Now the ship is being taken to the Canary Islands of Spain, where preparations are being made to disembark the passengers and sanitize the entire ship.

However, the World Health Organization has said that there is no need for the common people to panic at the moment. According to the organization, this virus is not a fast spreading disease like Corona.