Manila, Philippines — The 38 Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Hondius, which is sailing in the Atlantic Ocean where a hantavirus outbreak has already resulted in three confirmed deaths, have shown no symptoms of the disease.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Filipino crew members are currently undergoing medical evaluation.
They have also been isolated from other passengers on the ship.
Based on the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 147 individuals are on board, consisting of 88 passengers and 59 crew members.
The ship departed in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and sailed across the South Atlantic, stopping at various remote locations and ecologically diverse regions, making it difficult to determine the extent of passenger contact with local populations or wildlife.
The first case of the disease involved a male patient who initially experienced fever, headache, and mild diarrhea on April 6.
On April 11, he developed respiratory distress and later died on the same date.
His body was disembarked at Saint Helena, part of the British Overseas Territory, on April 24.
Meanwhile, a close contact of the patient, an elderly female, developed gastrointestinal symptoms and also died on April 26 while en route to Johannesburg, South Africa.
On May 4, PCR testing confirmed that the woman was positive for hantavirus.
Both patients had traveled in South America and Argentina before boarding the ship on April 1.
Another female patient with pneumonia symptoms also died on May 2 and was confirmed positive for hantavirus.
Four other individuals, who are suspected cases and exhibiting fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, remain on board the ship and are being evaluated by the medical team in Cabo Verde.
Meanwhile, regarding the Filipino crew members on the ship, the DOH assured that it continues to coordinate with the WHO International Health Regulation (IHR) system to monitor the current situation of the seafarers.
As of now, the DOH is still awaiting the final docking location of the MV Hondius, which is currently moored in Cabo Verde.
Health Undersecretary and DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo stated that there is no cure for hantavirus, but it can be prevented through proper handwashing and other precautionary measures.
There have been no confirmed cases of hantavirus in the Philippines.
Hantavirus symptoms are generally similar to leptospirosis, including body aches, fever, headache, and abdominal pain.
The disease is transmitted through contact with rodent urine or feces.
Globally, most hantavirus cases are reported in Europe and Asia, with an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 cases annually.