Over this past week an Outbreak happened aboard the MV Hondius. The World Health Organization issued a statement on Hanta Virus which is very active within the Ship. Many are becoming anxious about this outbreak and the potential of having another period of prolonged lockdown. While it is very serious and should be taken with caution it should not shut down the World for two Years. Here’s why.

The MV Hondius is a Dutch Ran cruise vessel that the Outbreak took place on. The original cruise was a planned month-long expedition visiting many different islands and continents. Such as Tristian De Cunha, The Falkland Islands, and even Antarctica. The route was indefinitely cut short while the vessel remained anchored for multiple days after being denied permission to dock at the Coast of Praia, Cape Verde. It was then rerouted to the Canary Islands where the extraction of passengers and quarantining of passengers would take place. 

What is hantavirus?

The California Department of Public Health stated, “Hantavirus is a virus that spreads through the urine, droppings, or saliva of wild rodents, including deer mice, which are common in many parts of California. Hantavirus can cause serious disease in humans.”

This is true for most strains of HantaVirus. The Andes Strain (which was found on the ship) is able to transmit from person to person through Close Contact. While many people compare it to Covid 19 the Virus is fundamentally different in many ways. Yes, while the disease has a higher mortality rate than Hantavirus “1–15% in Asia and Europe and up to 50% in the Americas.”(World Health Organization), it typically doesn’t transfer as fast. While Covid could be transferred, Airborne Hantavirus typically requires people living together in close proximity to transfer. 

The World Health Organisation stated, “Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than among people ages 18-29 years.”

While The Covid 19 is much less lethal for younger people allowing for methods such as social distancing, and masks to work more effectively. Hantavirus maintains the same mortality rate no matter the age. Making it much more concerning for younger people than Corona Virus was.

After the WHO issue stating the situation and its dangers. Governments around the World are taking massive precautions in order to keep the Hantavirus from spreading. When the Ship arrives at the Canary Islands there will be intense screening of the Crew and the Passengers of any potential symptoms of the Virus. As well as treatment for those who are currently afflicted with the Virus. Similarly the 30 passengers disembarked from the Ship early before the WHO issue are being closely monitored by their own respective Governments making sure the Virus stays controlled.

In conclusion, while the Hantavirus is a very formidable virus and it should be taken with absolute caution there is a lesser chance of it becoming a worldwide pandemic compared to previous outbreaks like the CoronaVirus.