Five Ukrainians are on board MV Hondius liner with hantavirus - media
The MV Hondius cruise ship, where an outbreak of hantavirus was recorded, is due to arrive in the Canary Islands in Spain on May 9. Upon arrival, all passengers and crew members will be examined by doctors. There are five Ukrainians on board, with whom the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact.
This is reported by hromadske.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are five Ukrainian citizens among the crew of the liner. The department noted that their health condition is satisfactory, they have no symptoms of the disease.
The ministry also reported that the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands maintains constant contact with a representative of the ship's operator.
In total, five people with symptoms of hantavirus were evacuated from the liner. The diagnosis was confirmed in two passengers - they are undergoing treatment in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Zurich, Switzerland.
Three more people suspected of the disease were taken to the Netherlands and Germany.
The situation is under the control of the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands, and the Consulate of Ukraine in Malaysia.
What happened on board the MV Hondius liner
The liner under the flag of the Netherlands set off on a three-week cruise from Argentina to visit Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. A 70-year-old Dutch citizen and his 69-year-old wife died during the trip; a total of three deaths were reported as of May 4.
There are 170 passengers and 71 crew members on board, including a doctor. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, there are five Ukrainians among the crew; as of May 4, there was no information about the deterioration of their health.
What is known about hantavirus
The WHO reported that hantavirus, an infection transmitted to humans from animals, most often through contact with rodents and their waste products, was detected on the ship.