WHO Launches Contact Tracing After Fatal Hantavirus Case on Cruise Ship

The World Health Organization has begun tracing 80 passengers and crew after a Dutch woman died from hantavirus on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg. She fell ill during the flight and passed away at a Johannesburg hospital on April 26, following her husband’s earlier death aboard the MV Hondius. Health officials have confirmed two more deaths and several infections on the vessel, which remains barred from docking in Cape Verde. Authorities are evacuating two critically ill crew members to the Netherlands and monitoring both confirmed and suspected cases on board. Although hantavirus usually spreads through rodent contact, the WHO is investigating possible person-to-person transmission on this voyage. Saint Helena’s government has also advised close contacts to self-isolate as a precaution, while reassuring residents that no local cases have been detected.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.