Hantavirus

The Club notes recent reports concerning a cluster of Hantavirus infections linked to cruise ship travel. 

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily associated with exposure to infected rodents, rodent droppings, urine, saliva or contaminated environments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has noted that the Andes virus is the only hantavirus strain for which limited person-to-person transmission has been reported.

Symptoms may initially resemble influenza-like illness and can include:

• fever; 
• fatigue; 
• headache; 
• muscle aches; 
• nausea and vomiting; and 
• in more severe cases, respiratory complications.

The WHO continues to assess the overall public health risk as low. However, the situation remains under international monitoring. Current public health guidance continues to focus on routine hygiene, environmental awareness and early reporting of compatible symptoms, rather than the introduction of extraordinary control measures. Club Members may wish to ensure that appropriate onboard hygiene, sanitation and pest control measures are maintained, particularly where vessels operate in areas where rodent exposure is possible.

The below preventive measures and medical guidance are based on publicly available WHO information and supplemented by Medical Rescue International (MRI), the Club’s medical advisory partner. Consideration may be given to:

• maintaining effective pest control measures onboard; 
• ensuring good sanitation, housekeeping and waste-management practices; 
• encouraging regular hand hygiene among crew and passengers; 
• avoiding contact with rodents, rodent droppings and rodent-contaminated materials;
• ensuring food stores and waste areas are appropriately secured and maintained;
• using appropriate cleaning and disinfection methods for potentially contaminated areas, avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming where possible;
• ensuring adequate ventilation in enclosed or infrequently accessed spaces before cleaning;
• ensuring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available for personnel involved in cleaning potentially contaminated areas; and
• ensuring crew promptly report flu-like, febrile or respiratory symptoms through the appropriate onboard reporting channels and seek medical assessment where necessary.

Members should continue to follow their company procedures and seek appropriate medical advice where necessary. For any updates, members are advised to seek information and guidance from their local agents or the Club correspondent, who can provide the most up-to-date information available locally.

Supportive Information
For further information on this or other Loss Prevention topics please contact the Loss Prevention Department, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd.
Tel: +44 20 7247 5490
Email: [email protected]

Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Medical Rescue International for their continued support, valuable feedback and expertise to this Information Notice.

Disclaimer:
The information contained in this publication is provided for general informational and guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content at the time of publication, no guarantee is given that the information is complete, current or applicable to all circumstances.