The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on Monday that genetic analyses of the hantavirus found on the Dutch cruise ship MH Hondius indicate that it is the known Andes variant, and not a new one, and therefore there is no evidence that it is more harmful.
"Recent genetic sequencing of the virus strongly suggests that the confirmed samples from the passenger being evaluated are linked to the same original source of infection. The genomic information also indicates that the virus involved in the outbreak is similar to the Andes viruses already known to circulate in South America, and is not a new variant," the EU reference body stated in a press release.
The ECDC emphasized that "currently, there is no evidence that this variant is transmitted more easily or causes a more severe illness than other viruses of the Andes variant."
The Stockholm-based organization reiterated its recommendation that passengers and crew members who have symptoms should be immediately placed in medical isolation, while those who do not have symptoms should be quarantined for up to six weeks.
"Due to the uncertainties that exist and the long incubation period, it is possible that we may see more cases among passengers and crew in the coming weeks. Therefore, the ECDC's cautious approach from the beginning has been very important," said the director of the center, Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
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A group waits for the disembarkation of passengers from the cruise ship. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported this Monday that genetic analyses of the hantavirus from the Dutch cruise ship MH Hondius indicate that it is the known Andes variant, and not a new one, so there is no evidence that it is more harmful. "The recent genetic sequencing of the virus strongly suggests that the confirmed samples from the passenger being evaluated are linked to the same original source of infection. The genomic information also indicates that the virus involved in the outbreak is similar to the Andes viruses already known to circulate in South America and is not a new variant," the European Union (EU) reference body stated in a press release. The ECDC emphasized that "there is currently no evidence that this variant is transmitted more easily or causes a more severe disease than other Andes variant viruses." This organization, based in Stockholm, reiterated its recommendation that passengers and crew members who have symptoms be immediately placed in medical isolation, while those who do not have symptoms should be quarantined for up to six weeks. The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak. (ECDC) "Due to the uncertainties that exist and the long incubation period, it is possible that we may see more cases in passengers and crew in the coming weeks. Therefore, the ECDC's cautious approach from the beginning has been very important," said the director of the center, Pamela Rendi-Wagner. The ECDC recalled that it continues to work closely with member states, the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners to provide a coordinated response and share information. The MV Hondius ship departed on April 1 from the port terminal of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina, heading to Cape Verde, and during the voyage, a hantavirus outbreak occurred, which has so far caused the death of three people. The cruise ship has been anchored off the coast of the port of Granadilla de Abona, on the Spanish island of Tenerife, while its occupants are being repatriated to their respective countries. A supply ship is providing fuel to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been anchored since Sunday in the port of Granadilla de Abona (Tenerife), in the presence of a Maritime Rescue boat (i). EFE/Miguel Barreto. At this time, 54 people remain on the cruise ship, including the 26 who will be disembarked, plus 28 crew members who will travel by sea to the port of Rotterdam. A total of 94 passengers from the cruise ship disembarked yesterday, Sunday, to take different flights that took them to their places of origin. After the disembarkation of the last passengers, the ship will refuel and receive supplies using the barges used in the disembarkation of passengers and crew, before departing for the Netherlands. Once the cruise ship is at sea, work will begin on disinfecting the port, as required by the protocols, the minister emphasized, confirming that a French passenger who was traveling on the Hondius tested positive, an American passenger had a "mild positive" result, and another presented symptoms. (with information from EFE)