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A Greek national aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, on which three passengers have died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak, is a retired 70-year-old male expatriate, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) has determined after communicating with the individual as part of its investigation into the case, sources have told Kathimerini.<\/p>\n
Officials from EODY\u2019s infectious diseases department contacted the Greek expatriate, gathering information about his health history and recent movements. No further details about him have been released.<\/p>\n
The MV Hondius is currently sailing toward Spain\u2019s Canary Islands after remaining anchored for three days near Cape Verde, the archipelago nation off the West African coast. The vessel had departed from Argentina a month ago.<\/p>\n
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise ship\u2019s operator, said that two passengers in serious condition who were evacuated from the vessel have arrived in the Netherlands for treatment, while a third passenger in stable condition was aboard a delayed evacuation flight.<\/p>\n
Several passengers have been evacuated, including a 65-year-old German national who was \u201cclosely associated\u201d with a German woman who died aboard the ship on May 2.<\/p>\n
Her death followed that of a Dutch man, who died onboard on April 11. His Dutch wife later died at a hospital in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
In its latest update, the World Health Organization (WHO) said eight hantavirus cases \u2013 three confirmed and five suspected \u2013 have so far been identified among people who were aboard the ship.<\/p>\n
A total of 146 people from 23 countries remain aboard the MV Hondius under \u201cstrict precautionary measures,\u201d Oceanwide Expeditions said.<\/p>\n
Investigators say the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only known hantavirus strain capable of limited person-to-person transmission.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n