A suspected case of hantavirus has claimed the lives of three people aboard a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a CNN report, three other cruise passengers have also reported being sick, quoting Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that operates the ship, called the MV Hondius, which is currently anchored in Praia.
Officials informed that passengers will not be allowed to disembark, and immediate medical care is being provided to the passengers.
What is hantavirus?
According to the CDC, hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious illnesses and death. They cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
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It is mainly spread by rodents and does not spread from person to person. People are infected when they come in contact with the rodents, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch from a rodent.
Diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome begin with flu-like symptoms and progress rapidly to more severe disease. It can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems.
Treatment and recovery:
Experts at the CDC mention that there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Patients should priortise rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms.
HPS can cause breathing difficulties, which may need breathing support, such as intubation, where a tube is placed in the lungs from the mouth to help the patient get oxygen.
HFRS can disrupt kidney function. Patients with HFRS may require to go through dialysis to remove toxins from the blood and maintain the right balance of fluids in the body.
For more information, consult a health expert.
