Get you up to speed: Australian lab investigates missing hantavirus vials amid outbreak concerns
Two vials of hantavirus went missing from an Australian lab in 2024, and two years later, passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius began to show symptoms of the illness. Argentine authorities reported that a Dutch couple may have become infected during a birdwatching trip near Ushuaia, Argentina.
Two vials containing hantavirus went missing from an Australian lab in 2024, but investigators concluded they were probably destroyed rather than stolen, according to reports. A Dutch couple, both 69, may have contracted the virus during a birdwatching trip near Ushuaia, Argentina, where they were potentially exposed to infected rodents, as stated by Argentine authorities.
The World Health Organization states the overall risk from the hantavirus remains low, while the situation is being closely monitored. Three British nationals are confirmed or suspected of having hantavirus, with one receiving treatment in South Africa, another in the Netherlands, and the third in Tristan da Cunha.
Two vials of hantavirus went missing from lab two years ago | News World
Some vials of hantavirus disappeared in 2024 (Picture: Reuters)
Two vials of hantavirus went missing from an Australian lab two years before the recent outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
Out of the 300 vials that went missing in 2024, two contained the hantavirus, which causes the condition that has left three dead in the last two weeks.
At the time, it was thought the disappearance happened when the vials were being transferred to a new freezer.
But an investigation found they were probably destroyed rather than stolen.The vials are not connected with the most recent outbreak.
The disease has made headlines in recent days after multiple passengers aboard the cruise ship contracted symptoms of the illness.
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A husband and wife, both 69, had developed the rodent-borne virus and brought it aboard the ship after visiting the city of Ushuaia, Argentina.
The pair, from the Netherlands, are believed to have visited a landfill site during a birdwatching trip and may have been exposed to rodents carrying the deadly infection.
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Argentine authorities say a Dutch couple, who later died, may have caught the virus during a birdwatching trip near Ushuaia argentina, where they visited a landfill and were potentially exposed to infected rodents before boarding the ship. The virus is the Andes strain, which is the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans through close contact. The WHO says the overall risk remains low, but the situation is still being closely monitored. 🎥 @zofia_louise #hantavirus #virus #worldhealthorganization #worldnews
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The husband died on April 11 after reporting flu-like symptoms, which he suffered for five days. His body was taken ashore at Saint Helena on April 24, where his wife also disembarked.
She then fell ill and died in Johannesburg on April 26. A German national also died on the ship on May 2.
A British crew member who was evacuated from the ship with symptoms of the virus has been named as Martin Anstree.
The 56-year-old is a former police officer turned wildlife photographer and was on board as an expert birdwatching guide.
He told Sky News from the hospital in the Netherlands where he is receiving treatment: ‘I’m doing OK. I’m not feeling too bad. There are still lots of tests to be done.
‘I have no idea how long I’ll be in the hospital for. I’m in isolation at the moment.’
How many Brits have been affected by hantavirus?
Three British nationals are confirmed or suspected of having hantavirus
One is being treated in South Africa, one is being treated in the Netherlands and the other is being treated in Trista da Cunha
Seven Brits disembarked the ship at St Helena following the first death. Four remain there and have been located
Two Brits who disembarked have been located in the UK and are self-isolating
One person has not yet been traced
His wife Nicola told the Telegraph it had been ‘a very traumatic few days’.
She added: ‘He’s relieved to be off the ship. He had it quite mild, then it got a bit more serious, and now he’s stable again.
‘The fear with this virus is it can deteriorate very quickly, so it’s been a bit up and down for him.
‘I don’t believe he’s in imminent danger now, but it was horrible.’
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