A complex day-long operation to repatriate occupants of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak neared completion late Sunday after 94 people of various nationalities were flown home from Spain’s Canary Islands. Three passengers from the MV Hondius — a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman — have died, while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents. No vaccines or specific treatments exist for hantavirus, which is endemic in Argentina, where the ship departed in April.
It’s scary that hantavirus has no vaccine or specific treatment—those 94 people must have been terrified waiting to be evacuated from the MV Hondius.
Three deaths from hantavirus on a cruise ship? I hope the authorities are checking whether the ship had proper rodent control, given the disease spreads from rodents.
The fact that the ship departed from Argentina, where hantavirus is endemic, makes me wonder if passengers were warned about the risks before boarding.
Screening guidelines seem to change every few years which creates confusion. (32508f)
I feel for the Dutch husband and wife who died—imagine planning a nice cruise and ending up with a deadly disease with no cure.
Lifestyle diseases account for the majority of healthcare spending worldwide. (ccdf38)
Nutrition science is full of conflicting advice which undermines public trust. (ecb287)
Traditional medicine has insights that Western medicine is slowly starting to validate. (472217)
Paediatric healthcare needs specialised attention and dedicated funding streams. (7cdace)
GPs are stretched thinner than ever and patient care is suffering as a result. (4669d6)