Cruise ships, which attract ever-increasing numbers of passengers each year, are enclosed spaces conducive to interaction… and the spread of infectious agents. On board, health protocols are therefore particularly strict, as recently illustrated by a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Cape Verde after several cases of hantavirus.
Organized by a small Dutch operator specializing in polar expedition-style trips focused on nature, the cruise, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, has resulted in the deaths of three passengers. Others are exhibiting symptoms, including the cruise's doctor, who is in serious condition.
Read also What is the hantavirus infection that reportedly killed three people on a cruise ship?
What measures are in place on board the MV Hondius?
Medical teams came aboard to examine those who were ill, Oceanwide Expeditions, the Dutch cruise operator of the MV Hondius, indicated on Monday. Two infectious disease specialists were scheduled to leave the Netherlands on Wednesday to travel to the ship, according to the company.
Oceanwide Expeditions indicated that it had activated the "highest level of response" with "strict precautionary measures", including the isolation of passengers, as well as hygiene protocols and medical monitoring.
Two sick crew members and one contact case were evacuated from the ship on Wednesday, according to the WHO.
The ship is then expected to head towards the Canary Islands archipelago, where it is due to dock in the coming days, according to Spanish authorities.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, in February 2020, the Diamond Princess cruise ship The ship had been quarantined for two weeks in Japan before passengers were allowed to disembark. More than 700 people on board had been infected and 13 had died.
Read also Hantavirus on a boat: WHO suspects "human-to-human transmission"
What is the WHO doing?
The WHO plays a major role in the event of an epidemic.
Regarding the MV Hondius, she indicated that she was working in collaboration with the authorities of several countries concerned, including Cape Verde, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as the ship's operators to coordinate actions aiming to ensure the safety and health of all persons on board, while limiting further spread“.
The hantavirus strain detected in one of the passengers, who was evacuated to South Africa, is that of the AndesThe South African health minister told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday that the virus is transmissible between humans. The University Hospital of Geneva confirmed it had identified the strain.
Passengers and crew members must, in particular, " perform active self-monitoring of symptoms for 45 days" , says the WHO.
The WHO has also launched steps to trace contacts and find passengers from the flight on which an infected Dutch cruise passenger was evacuated from the island of Saint Helena to South Africa, before dying in hospital.
What are the regulatory obligations?
In the event of a health risk, the International Health Regulations (IHR) apply. They aim to establish an effective global alert and response network.
The objective is to ensure maximum protection against the international spread of health threats, through prevention, surveillance and intervention when necessary.
The IHR is the only legally binding international instrument on health security. It stipulates, in particular, that every port (or airport) open to international traffic must have surveillance and response capabilities to address health risks.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) told AFP that its members were also " required to comply with policies that go far beyond regulatory requirements“.
These include, in particular, " advanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, continuous disease surveillance, and rapid response measures in the event of a health problem“.
CLIA clarifies that Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the MV Hondius, is not a member of its organization.
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