NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has stepped up surveillance measures after the recent Hantavirus outbreak onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. Authorities are said to be closely monitoring the situation in coordination with national and international health agencies.
The Health Ministry accompanied by the National Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health authorities, has activated high-level surveillance mechanisms to prevent any potential domestic transmission of the virus, NDTV cited a senior health official as saying.
As per the preliminary information shared under the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, eight probable cases of Hantavirus infection have been confirmed onboard the vessel. Out of these, five have already been laboratory-confirmed.
Also, three deaths have been reported since the WHO was first informed about the outbreak earlier this month.
According to health authorities, the latest outbreak is believed to be linked to the Andes strain of Hantavirus. Unlike many other hantavirus strains, this one is capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Officials have further stated that the spread generally requires close and prolonged contact, while the overall global risk is currently considered low.
However, authorities continue to remain cautious due to the virus’s long incubation period that might result in additional cases emerging among passengers and crew members who are still under observation.