{"id":264,"date":"2026-05-06T13:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=264"},"modified":"2026-05-06T13:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:12:08","slug":"hantavirus-outbreak-spreads-to-europe-after-mv-hondius-cruise-passenger-tests-positive-back-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=264","title":{"rendered":"Hantavirus outbreak spreads to Europe after MV Hondius cruise passenger tests positive back home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Doctor reveals if the hantavirus outbreak could lead to next global pandemic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The deadly hantavirus outbreak has spread to Europe after a passenger who had already left the MV Hondius cruise ship tested positive once back home, authorities announced in an alarming update Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Swiss authorities said the man returned home last month following a trip to South America with his wife before testing positive for the virus, which can lie dormant for up to eight weeks.<\/p>\n

He went to a Zurich hospital for testing after the cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, emailed recent passengers about the spreading virus that has killed three people and sickened at least five, the\u00a0World Health Organization said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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A boat next to the MV Hondius, which has been hit by an hantavirus outbreak.via REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was not immediately clear what condition the man is in after the latest positive test. His wife hasn\u2019t shown any symptoms but she is self-isolating as a precaution.<\/p>\n

Local health authorities maintained Wednesday that \u201cthere is currently no risk to the Swiss public.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the news is sparking panic given that the virus appears to be spreading via \u201chuman-to-human transmission\u201d and can be dangerous for eight weeks \u2014 with the cruise stranded at sea with alarmed countries scared of allowing it to dock.<\/p>\n