The World Well being Group mentioned Tuesday it believes there was uncommon human-to-human transmission of the hantavirus on a cruise ship at the center of the outbreak, with three individuals now lifeless after coming down with the sickness.
“We do consider that there could also be some human-to-human transmission that is occurring among the many actually shut contacts [on board],” Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist with the WHO, mentioned at a press convention Tuesday. “The husband and spouse, individuals who’ve shared cabins, and so forth. So, once more, our assumption is that has occurred.”
MV Hondius, a Dutch ship with practically 150 individuals aboard, had been awaiting assist off the coast of Cape Verde within the Atlantic Ocean after the African island refused to let it dock over public well being considerations. Nevertheless, the Spanish authorities mentioned Tuesday the ship may sail to the Canary Islands for a “full investigation” and “full disinfection.”
The WHO additionally later introduced in an announcement that it had formally requested, in coordination with the European Union, that Spain host the Hondius within the Canary Islands.
“The European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC) is conducting a complete examination of the ship to find out which people require pressing evacuation inside Cape Verde itself,” the WHO mentioned. “The rest will proceed their journey towards the Canary Islands, the place they’re anticipated to reach inside three to 4 days.”
As soon as it arrives within the Canary Islands, the passengers and crew will endure medical screenings earlier than they’re repatriated to their very own international locations, the WHO mentioned, noting Cape Verde “lacks the capability to hold out this operation.”
In addition to the three fatalities — two of whom died on board and a 3rd who died shortly after disembarking — there are 4 different suspected or confirmed instances of the virus, certainly one of whom is a British nationwide who was evacuated from the boat and is now in intensive care in South Africa, based on the WHO.
The opposite three instances who’re nonetheless aboard the ship will first be evacuated to Cape Verde, after which on to the Netherlands to allow them to obtain medical care, the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, mentioned in an announcement Tuesday.
AFP by way of Getty Photographs 
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