By Zainab Bakare
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has began contact tracing for passengers aboard a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg following the death of a cruise ship passenger from hantavirus.
The victim, a Dutch national, had earlier disembarked on the island of Saint Helena on April 24 after developing gastrointestinal symptoms. Her husband had also died from the virus aboard the cruise ship, which remains offshore near Cape Verde.
According to WHO, the woman’s condition worsened during her onward journey to Johannesburg, where she died on April 26.
Health authorities have now initiated efforts to trace and monitor all passengers who were on the same flight, as part of measures to contain any potential spread of the virus.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. The WHO says it is working with national health authorities to assess risks and coordinate response efforts.
