The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has deployed an expert from the EU Health Task Force to the cruise ship affected by the Andes hantavirus outbreak, as part of a joint effort to investigate the outbreak and coordinate the public health response together with relevant Member States.
‘Many uncertainties still remain with this hantavirus outbreak and it is important that we take a precautionary approach at this point in time to reduce the likelihood of further transmission. An ECDC expert is on the ship to gain more insights and inform public health action‘, says Dr Pamela Rendi-Wagner, Director of ECDC.
The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus, the only hantavirus which can be transmitted person-to-person, typically requiring close and prolonged contact. Measures are already in place on board to reduce the likelihood of infection among passengers and crew.
ECDC has today published a Threat Assessment Brief on the risk to Europe, including recommendations for passengers and crew onboard the cruise ship and advice for the handling of passengers upon arrival at the receiving point of entry in the EU.
The Spanish government approved the docking of the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Canary Islands (Tenerife). The decision was taken so passengers could receive medical screening, evacuation, and repatriation. However, the regional government of the Canary Islands rejected the decision, saying there wasn’t enough information to guarantee public safety.
Considering the limited epidemiological information currently available, the long incubation period of the virus, and the potential for person-to-person transmission of Andes hantavirus, precautionary measures, including the medical evacuation of symptomatic passengers, crew and close contacts, should be considered.
Slow risk but prudence prevails
Remaining passengers onboard the ship were reported asymptomatic, and Spain planned to fly its own citizens to Madrid for quarantine while others would return home.
Based on the current evidence, the risk to the general population in Europe remains very low, and widespread transmission is not expected. Any transmission is likely to remain limited due to the nature of contact required and the infection prevention and control measures in place onboard and during disembarkation , and further follow-up.
Significant uncertainties remain, and investigations are ongoing to determine where and how individuals contracted the virus, and the extent of exposure among passengers and crew.
ECDC is working in coordination with relevant national authorities in Spain, the Netherlands, other EU/EEA countries, the United Kingdom, and WHO to assess the available information and support the public health response. ECDC is also collaborating with the EU reference laboratory for public health on emerging, rodent-borne and zoonotic viral pathogens to strengthen diagnostic capacity.
