WHO TRACKS MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE AFTER HANTAVIRUS CASE ON FLIGHT - VORAKA

The World Health Organization (WHO) is now tracing more than 80 people after a passenger linked to a hantavirus outbreak died following an international flight. The woman, who was from the Netherlands, had travelled on the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius. She later boarded a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg on April 25. Reports say she became seriously ill during the journey and died after reaching South Africa.

Health officials confirmed that 82 passengers and six crew members were on the flight. Authorities are now contacting those who may have been in close contact with her as a safety step.

The case is connected to a larger hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship, which had been travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde. So far, a few people connected to the trip have fallen sick, and three deaths have been reported.

Experts believe the virus involved could be the Andes strain of hantavirus. This version is rare because it may spread from person to person in limited cases. However, WHO has said the overall risk to the public is still considered low. Hantavirus is usually spread through contact with infected rodents or areas contaminated by them. Early symptoms can feel similar to the flu, including fever, body pain, and tiredness. In serious cases, it can affect breathing and become dangerous very quickly.

Passengers from the cruise and people connected to the flight are now being monitored in different countries as health teams continue their investigation. Officials are also trying to understand where the outbreak first began and whether any transmission happened during the voyage itself.

The incident has once again shown how quickly health concerns can cross borders through international travel.