Context
Recently, a Dutch-flagged cruise vessel, the MV Hondius, has been hit by a deadly outbreak of Hantavirus (Andes strain) during its voyage from Argentina. After stops in the South Atlantic, the vessel reached the Canary Islands (Spain) in May 2026, where a complex repatriation and evacuation operation began under World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring.
1. About the Hantavirus
- Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that cause severe respiratory or kidney disease in humans worldwide.
- Transmission Source: While usually spread by rodents, investigators believes the first case contracted it in South America. Crucially, the Andes strain is the only Hantavirus known for human-to-human transmission, likely occurring here in the close quarters of the ship.
- Symptoms: Characterized by “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome” (HPS)—fever, muscle aches, and rapid progression to severe respiratory distress (fluid in lungs).
- Fatality Rate: High, typically around 38–40%.
- Treatment: No specific vaccine or treatment exists; patients require hospitalization and supportive care (often requiring ventilators).
2. Geography of Canary Islands
- Location: An archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, located off the northwest coast of Africa (Morocco/Western Sahara), but politically part of Spain.
- Origin: Volcanic archipelago; home to Mount Teide (on Tenerife), which is the highest peak on Spanish soil.
- Strategic Status: An Outermost Region (OR) of the European Union.
- Key Islands: Tenerife (where the evacuation occurred at Santa Cruz), Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
- Climate: Subtropical and semi-arid, influenced by the Canary Current (a cold ocean current) and trade winds.
Q. With reference to the Hantavirus, consider the following statements:
1. It is a viral disease primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents.
2. The Andes strain of the virus is notable because it can spread through human-to-human contact.
3. There is currently a WHO-approved vaccine available for the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct: Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses. They are primarily carried and transmitted by rodents (such as mice and rats). Humans generally become infected by breathing in air contaminated with the virus from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva (aerosolization).
• Statement 2 is correct: While most hantaviruses do not spread between people, the Andes virus (found in South America) is a rare exception. It is the only known strain that can be transmitted through human-to-human contact, which is why the outbreak on the MV Hondius is being monitored so strictly by health officials.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: According to the article and current medical status, there are no vaccines, effective antivirals, or specific treatments available for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Medical care is limited to "supportive therapy," such as the use of ventilators in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
