Investigators believe the deadly hantavirus that has killed three people on the MV Hondius cruise ship may have originated from a landfill site in Argentina. Two Argentine officials tracing the virus suggest a Dutch couple contracted it during a bird-watching trip that included a visit to the landfill, where they may have been exposed to infected rodents.
Origins In Argentina
The leading theory from anonymous officials points to the rubbish dump in Argentina as the likely source of the hantavirus infection. This location was part of a bird-watching tour taken by a Dutch couple on the cruise, who have since tragically died.
Fatal Impact
Three people have died as a result of the outbreak, including two Dutch nationals. While it is not confirmed if the deceased couple are the same tourists from the bird-watching trip, their deaths are central to the ongoing investigation.
Cruise Ship Containment
The MV Hondius is currently heading for the Canary Islands after a seriously ill British doctor was evacuated from the ship and is reported to be in stable condition. Spanish authorities plan to repatriate more than 20 British passengers, who will face up to eight weeks of quarantine upon arrival.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials continue to trace the exact origins and transmission routes of the virus as the situation develops. The case of a French patient infected without boarding the ship increases concern over the outbreak’s spread beyond the cruise.
