Officials are working to determine the source of a hantavirus cluster aboard a cruise ship that has resulted in three lab confirmed cases, with five more suspected.
Three people who were traveling aboard Oceanwide Expeditions’ MV Hondius have died, one of whom was confirmed to have a hantavirus variant.
Hantavirus is primarily spread through exposure to the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents. World Health Organization official Maria Van Kerkhove said during a May 5 news briefing that the cruise operator told the organization there were no rats on board.
That’s standard, according to Walt Nadolny, professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College, and a former environmental officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. Much remains unknown about where the passengers were infected, but seeing rats, mice or other rodents aboard cruise ships is a rarity.
Here’s why.
