Health authorities have identified the Andes strain of hantavirus on a cruise ship, a strain known for its potential for person-to-person transmission. Three passengers, including the ship’s doctor, were evacuated and transferred to specialized hospitals in Europe, with two remaining in serious condition. While the vessel continues its journey, those still on board are asymptomatic, and health officials emphasize that human-to-human transmission of this strain requires very close physical contact.
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Two confirmed cases of a serious illness have been reported within the country. One case involved a Dutch woman who tragically passed away following the death of her husband at sea. The second case is a 69-year-old British national, currently receiving treatment in a Johannesburg hospital after a medical evacuation from a ship.
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A traveler returning from South America has tested positive for Andes virus hantavirus in Switzerland, prompting isolation and testing at the University Hospital Zurich. While this strain of hantavirus can transmit between people in rare, close-contact instances, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) assesses the risk to the general public as low. The patient’s wife, currently asymptomatic, is also self-isolating as authorities investigate potential contacts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker