Stricken cruise ship marooned as deadly rat-borne virus spreads

A rat-borne virus that broke out aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde, West Africa, is now suspected to have spread to seven people, according to reports.

The World Health Organization, or WHO, confirmed two cases and suspects five others aboard the MV Hondius cruise. Of them, one patient who is critically ill and three others with mild symptoms. Three people have already died.

The dead include two senior Dutch passengers and a German national.

The Dutch cruise ship paused its weeks-long journey to Argentina, Antarctica and other islands in the South Atlantic, and has been waiting for help after Cape Verde authorities denied passengers the right to disembark due to public health concerns, reports The Seattle Times and The Associated Press.

According to the Daily Beast, the outbreak began between April 6 and April 28. Symptoms include fever and gastrointestinal issues. In severe cases, it can result in pneumonia, respiratory failure and shock.

The WHO said passengers were asked to stay in their cabins and, “limit their risk while disinfection and other measures are being taken,” according to The Seattle Times and AP.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Hantavirus has a high fatality rate, adding that it's typically transmitted to humans through exposure to rodent feces.

The Daily Beast reported that, although most strains do not spread between people, a rare variant found in parts of Argentina and Chile’s Andes has shown otherwise.

“We do know that some of the cases had very close contact with each other and certainly human-to-human transmission can’t be ruled out so, as a precaution, this is what we are assuming,” Dr. Maria Van Kerhove, WHO’s Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and prevention, said.

Van Kerhove added, “The risk to the general public is low.”

The Seattle Times and AP reported authorities in Cape Verde sent teams of doctors, surgeons, nurses and laboratory specialists to provide the vessel with medical support.

“The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation and laboratory investigations,” said a WHO representative.