Eight people infected in the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius have tested positive for the Andes virus, the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.According to AFP, the WHO said, “eight cases were laboratory-confirmed for Andes virus (ANDV) infection, two are probable, and one case remains inconclusive and is undergoing further testing.”The outbreak has so far claimed three lives among people aboard the ship, which departed from Argentina on April 1 for a transatlantic cruise.
Two of the deceased had confirmed Andes virus infections, while the third was classified as a probable case, the WHO said.Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with the urine, saliva or faeces of infected rodents.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease.WHO says public health risk remains lowThe WHO maintained that the public health risk remains “moderate” for passengers and crew who were on board the vessel, but “low” for the rest of the world.The WHO believes the first infection likely occurred before the cruise....
