Belgian passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship to face home isolation
The two Belgian passengers on board the cruise ship where a hantavirus outbreak has been confirmed will undergo a medical assessment at Antwerp University Hospital upon their return to Belgium. They will then be permitted to go home, but will be required to limit contact with others for a number of weeks.
Both individuals are currently showing no symptoms, according to the FPS Public Health. The risk of them infecting others is described as "very minimal." Nevertheless, they will continue to be monitored at home following their assessment, to ensure that they do not develop any symptoms and to ensure they avoid contact with others in the coming weeks.
A third Belgian has also been identified on a contact-tracing list compiled during the investigation into potentially infected individuals. Contact tracing procedures have been initiated, the FPS confirmed.
The incubation period for hantavirus can be up to six weeks, meaning surveillance must be maintained for an extended period. The variant believed to be present on the Hondius is particularly dangerous and can cause severe lung infections. Human-to-human transmission is rare but cannot be ruled out.
Three deaths
The hantavirus outbreak occured on board the MV Hondius. There are currently eight suspected cases, of which five have been laboratory-confirmed. Three people have already died. All those who fell ill have been evacuated from the vessel. The approximately 150 people still on board are not currently showing any symptoms.
The ship had initially planned to put into port in Cape Verde, but was refused permission to do so for safety reasons. It is now expected to dock in Granadilla, Tenerife, early on Sunday morning. The two Belgians on board will be flown out on a Dutch charter flight later that same day.
PHOTO © AFP
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