The Union health ministry said on Friday that 2 Indian crew members on board MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean, which has sparked concerns globally following an outbreak of a rare and serious hantavirus outbreak, are asymptomatic but under observation.
In a statement issued, a senior ministry official said that the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation relating to reported cases of hantavirus infection onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, in coordination with health agencies in the country, along with World Health Organisation (WHO), and other international health authorities.
As per preliminary information shared by WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, a total of eight probable cases of hantavirus infection have been reported onboard the vessel, of which five cases have been laboratory confirmed.
Three deaths have also been reported, and the WHO was notified of the incident in the first week of this month.
According to the WHO, the virus involved is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is known to have limited capability of human-to-human transmission and generally requires close and prolonged contact for spread.
In the press briefings on May 6 and 7, the WHO assessed the current public health risk as low, while indicating that additional cases may be reported due to the relatively long incubation period associated with the infection.
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.
The current outbreak reportedly started in a Dutch couple who had travelled extensively in South America – Argentina, Uruguay and Chile before boarding the cruise ship in April. Both of them are now dead, as is another person who came in close contact while at least five others on the ship were found to be infected after they showed symptoms.
Infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location.
GOVT SAYS ITS VIGILANT
In the Americas, infection has been known to lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart, while in Europe and Asia hantaviruses have been known to cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels.
The government official, meanwhile, maintained that the WHO is coordinating international response measures under the IHR mechanism, including strengthening diagnostic support, facilitating epidemiological assessment, and ensuring safe disembarkation and onward travel arrangements for passengers and crew.
The statement also said that information received through IHR channels indicates that two Indian nationals are currently onboard the vessel.
“Both individuals are presently asymptomatic and are under observation in accordance with established international health protocols,”
In view of the evolving situation and as a precautionary public health measure, various government health agencies in India called a review meeting to assess the situation and review preparedness measures.
The government, it said, remains vigilant and is maintaining close coordination with WHO and other international partners, the official informed.
Necessary public health measures are also being undertaken proactively to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Indian citizens.
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