The Dutch tourist cruise ship “MV Hondius,” which became the center of global attention due to the spread of hantavirus near Tenerife, has departed after the completion of evacuation procedures under the supervision of the World Health Organization.
The World Health Organization and Spanish authorities jointly carried out medical examinations, screening, and quarantine procedures for passengers and crew members.
According to officials, the Andes hantavirus is the world’s only hantavirus strain that can spread from person to person to a limited extent, and this virus has significantly different effects compared to other hantavirus strains.
It is worth mentioning that multiple cases of Andes hantavirus had emerged on the ship, while at least three people have died and several others have been infected due to the virus.
The World Health Organization clarified that the situation is not similar to COVID because hantavirus does not spread through normal airborne contact.
According to medical experts, hantavirus is generally transmitted through close and prolonged contact.
All passengers and crew members disembarking from the ship will remain under monitoring for several weeks because symptoms of the virus can take between one to six weeks to appear.
Contact tracing, medical monitoring, quarantine measures, and international cooperation are currently ongoing in various countries.
According to medical experts, the early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting, while severe cases may also involve breathing difficulties.
Experts stated that the virus can be controlled through immediate monitoring and precautionary measures, however the coming weeks will be extremely important.
