Hantavirus outbreak

Virus ship in port – crew to be isolated

The cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been at the center of the ongoing outbreak of the deadly hantavirus, has now arrived in Rotterdam, writes Reuters. Next, the remaining crew of 27 people will be isolated and then the entire ship will be disinfected.

So far, seven people who were traveling on the ship when the virus began to spread have been found to be infected. The latest confirmed case came on Sunday and concerns a woman in Canada. Three people have died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that more cases may appear because the virus's incubation period can be several weeks long.

WHO prepares for the arrival of the virus ship: "Low risk"

The World Health Organization (WHO) still does not assess that the hantavirus poses any major danger, writes AFP.

“The public health risk has been assessed based on the latest information, and the global risk remains low,” they wrote in a statement on Sunday evening.

The virus ship MV Hondius is en route to Rotterdam and is expected to arrive Monday morning. On board are 25 crew members, two health workers and the remains of one of the deceased. No one on board has symptoms, but all will be isolated for six weeks.

Three people have died in the outbreak. A Canadian passenger tested positive over the weekend.