The search also focuses on the flights these travelers took from the remote island back to Europe and other destinations. Airlines and health agencies are mapping out who sat near the affected passengers and who they may have come into contact with during their journey.
The outbreak originated on the Dutch expedition ship MV Hondius. Three passengers died on board after falling ill. The first victims were a Dutch couple. The man died first, in mid-April, followed two weeks later by his wife after she had left the ship and traveled by plane to South Africa.
Disembarked
According to health authorities, the suspected virus is the Andes variant of hantavirus. This form is rare because human-to-human transmission seems possible, whereas other variants typically spread only through infected rodents.
Promotion
Following the initial deaths, some passengers were taken off the ship on Saint Helena. Since then, authorities have been trying to determine where these travelers are located and with whom they have had contact. This effort involves collaboration between various countries and health services.
Canary Islands
Several other passengers were later evacuated from the ship for medical treatment. Limited details have been released about their condition. Meanwhile, a smaller group of passengers and crew members remained on board.
The ship then headed towards the Canary Islands. During the journey, extra precautionary measures were in place. Some passengers had to stay in their cabins while medical checks and examinations continued.
Low Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) and national health services emphasize that the general risk to the public is assessed as low. At the same time, contact tracing efforts continue because it remains unclear how many people may have been exposed.
The outbreak has caused international concern as infected travelers have already spread across multiple countries before it was clear which disease might have been present on board. Authorities urge travelers who were on the affected flights to stay alert for symptoms and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop.