I am not a huge fan of unapproved vaccines, but this one is made from an inactivated (dead) hanta- strain of the virus, and has been in wide use in China for years. The mRNA / next-gen version is not yet in broad clinical trials.

So, unless you must sail this line, it might be best to claim on your travel insurance policy — and skip this ride (especially if you are immuno-compromised). Here’s the latest:

…Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the WHO said Sunday, one a confirmed case of hantavirus — an illness usually transmitted to humans from rodents.

The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.

“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases,” the World Health Organization told AFP.

“Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa….”

This may mean that if you absolutely must sail — and are going to sail only on this cruise line — you ought to get the vaccine (at the moment, only approved by the Chinese version of the FDA) — and get it well before you board. Onward.

नमस्ते