Health officials linked several confirmed and suspected hantavirus cases to the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde. Some of the ship's 147 passengers later travelled through South Africa. On 13 May the WHO reported 11 cases, including three deaths; eight cases were confirmed as hantavirus, two were classed as probable and one remained inconclusive pending further testing.
A 70-year-old man died on arrival at St Helena island and his 69-year-old wife later died after collapsing at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg; laboratory tests confirmed hantavirus in both. A British man who fell ill on the ship tested positive and is isolated in a private medical facility in South Africa in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations suggest some exposure occurred during visits to rodent-infested areas in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay before passengers boarded. Hantavirus spreads mainly through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva and by inhaling contaminated dust. Officials urge sealing holes, storing food securely and using protective equipment when cleaning potentially contaminated spaces. WHO says early detection, isolation and contact tracing can limit spread.
Difficult words
- hantavirus — A virus people can catch from infected rodents
- confirm — To show that something is true by testsconfirmed
- suspect — To think something is likely but not provedsuspected
- exposure — Contact with something that may cause infection
- rodent-infested — Having many rats or mice living there
- contaminate — To make something dirty or unsafe with germscontaminated
- contact tracing — Finding and monitoring people who had contact
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could passengers reduce their risk of hantavirus before or during travel? Give two simple actions and a reason.
- What challenges might health officials face when tracing contacts of international passengers?
- Do you think sealing holes and storing food securely are practical prevention steps on holiday? Why or why not?
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