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Hantavirus outbreak reported on cruise ship MV Hondius

An outbreak of the Andes hantavirus has been identified among passengers and crew of the cruise ship MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina on April 1. The World Health Organization confirmed seven cases out of nine total suspected infections, noting that three passengers have died. Approximately 150 individuals are considered high-risk contacts, with health authorities recommending a 42-day isolation period. In the United States, 18 passengers were repatriated and placed under monitoring, with one testing positive. Spain and Turkey also reported repatriating their citizens, with one Spanish passenger testing positive and Turkish passengers testing negative. The ship, managed by Oceanwide Expeditions, arrived in the Canary Islands before departing for Rotterdam with 26 crew members remaining on board. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for this rare viral disease, which primarily spreads among rodents and requires prolonged close contact with symptomatic individuals for human transmission.

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