South African Health Officials: British Hantavirus Patient Shows Gradual Improvement
Update on British Hantavirus Patient in Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG, May 11 (Reuters) - The condition of a British man who was admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg after falling ill with hantavirus aboard a luxury cruise ship is gradually improving, a South African health ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Current Health Status
"The British patient is clinically improving but still ill," the spokesperson Foster Mohale told Reuters. "This means his condition is improving, gradually so."
Background of the Case
Medical Evacuation and Symptoms
The man was medically evacuated to South Africa on April 27 after presenting with a fever, shortness of breath and signs of pneumonia. He disembarked from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius at Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean.
About Hantaviruses
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that can infect people and cause illness.
Identified Strain and Cruise Ship Details
The strain identified on the ship is the Andes hantavirus, which typically circulates in Argentina and Chile. The MV Hondius set off from Argentina and was carrying mostly British, American and Spanish passengers.
Outbreak Impact
Three people have died since the start of the outbreak - a Dutch couple and a German national.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Anathi Madubela;Writing by Nilutpal Timsina;Editing by Alexander Winning)
