Health Dept to shed more light on British tourist treated for Hantavirus in SA

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed to Eyewitness News that his department will soon release more details after a British tourist tested positive for Hantavirus on an Atlantic cruise ship.

It has since been established that the tourist is now being treated in South Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that three people on board are suspected to have died from the disease, though only one case has been confirmed at a laboratory.

The vessel (MV Hondius) was travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.

ALSO READ | Three die on Atlantic cruise ship from suspected hantavirus: WHO

Hantavirus is usually spread through contact with infected rodents or their waste.

And in rare cases, it can spread between people, causing severe respiratory illness.

Motsoaledi has told Eyewitness News that he expects a full briefing from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Monday.

“As you know, this is an international trip that involves the World Health Organization. In South Africa, the key institution is the NICD. I’m only being briefed this morning [Monday] about it.”

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK)’s Foreign Office said it is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the cruise company and local authorities.