Argentina suspects landfill go to sparked cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

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A bird-watching tour in a area that had by no means recorded a hantavirus case is now on the heart of an pressing investigation, as Argentine officers look at whether or not a Dutch couple unknowingly introduced the deadly virus aboard a cruise ship after a cease at a landfill.

Argentina’s main speculation is {that a} Dutch couple could have been uncovered to rodents whereas visiting the landfill through the tour within the metropolis of Ushuaia, contracting the virus earlier than boarding the cruise ship, two Argentine officers investigating the origins of the outbreak instructed The Related Press on Wednesday.

Hantavirus usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. The World Well being Group (WHO) stated human-to-human switch is unusual, however doable.

Authorities beforehand stated Ushuaia and surrounding Tierra del Fuego province had by no means recorded a hantavirus case.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

Health workers in protective gear evacuate patients from MV Hondius cruise ship into ambulance at port

Well being staff in protecting gear evacuate sufferers from the MV Hondius cruise ship into an ambulance at a port in Praia, Cape Verde, on Could 6, 2026. (Misper Apawu/AP)

The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius ship is on the heart of an outbreak that has already killed three passengers and sickened a number of others. Contact tracing is underway throughout Europe and Africa to trace doable unfold amongst passengers who’ve since disembarked.

Testing in Switzerland, South Africa and Senegal has confirmed that that is the Andes pressure, based on authorities. The WHO says the variant is discovered primarily in Argentina and Chile that may unfold by shut contact, although uncommon.

The MV Hondius cruise ship anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde

The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde, on Could 6, 2026. (Misper Apawu/AP)

Swiss officers stated a man who returned from the cruise sought therapy after growing signs and was instantly remoted. They stated he examined optimistic for the Andes pressure.

WHO Director-Normal Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated Wednesday that three suspected instances had been evacuated from the vessel and are being transported to the Netherlands for therapy.