Published On 5/14/2026
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Last update: 19:46 (Mecca time)
The World Health Organization announced that the virus strain detected in the eight confirmed cases linked to the Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship is the Andean strain that is transmissible between humans.
The organization added in a statement on Wednesday evening that, “As of May 13, 11 cases had been reported, including 3 deaths.”
She explained, “Among these cases, 8 people were laboratory-confirmed infected with the Andean virus, while there are two possible cases and one case is unresolved and is subject to additional analysis.”
The organization said that the unresolved case belongs to a person in the United States, as he “does not currently show symptoms.” The results of the tests – which he underwent in two laboratories – were different, as one was positive and the other was negative.
This American, who was on board the ship and is currently in a hospital in Nebraska, is awaiting the results of a new examination.
Two people, among the eight who were confirmed to be infected with the virus, died.
The Hanta virus is a group of viruses that is transmitted mainly through rodents, especially mice, as the virus lives in their urine, feces, and saliva.
A person can become infected when inhaling contaminated particles in the air, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Unlike some other viruses, transmission between humans is very rare.
The virus is transmitted from rodents to humans, and transmission between humans is extremely rare, occurring only in very limited cases, such as some South American strains. Therefore, experts believe that the source of infection on the ship is linked to environmental pollution or indirect exposure to rodents, rather than widespread spread among passengers.
No signs of mutation
In a related development, the European Health Agency confirmed, on Wednesday, that there are no indications that lead to suspicion that the Andean strain of the Hanta virus has mutated following the outbreak of the virus on the cruise ship “MV Hondius” and causing deaths.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate resulting from this outbreak (the proportion of patients who die after infection) is currently 27%, and there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Hantavirus, which can cause acute respiratory syndrome. All cases recorded so far were on board the ship.
This virus is usually spread by rodents, often through urine, feces, and saliva.
Health ban
On the other hand, the British Health Security Agency announced that about 20 Britons evacuated from the Hondius ship began leaving the hospital to which they were taken for quarantine, as of Wednesday evening, and will be subject to home quarantine.
The 22 travelers arrived in Manchester in northern England on Sunday evening, after they were evacuated from the ship and were placed in quarantine for at least 72 hours in a hospital near Liverpool, where they underwent medical examinations.
They should remain in home quarantine for 45 days, and the authorities will maintain daily contact with them and they will be subjected to periodic examination.
At the same time, 10 people who spent quarantine in Britain’s St. Helena and Ascension in the Atlantic Ocean returned to the British mainland to complete the quarantine period. These people had previously been in contact with infected people.
