Should we fear a new pandemic? A deadly outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic causes panic as cases are reported around the world.
Ship virus ‘spreads between humans’
Ship shape: Passengers on the MV Hondius are finally set to return home after Spain agreed to let the ship dock in the Canary Islands following a successful medical evacuation. Glossary
Cape Verde - An island nation where the cruise ship MV Hondius was travelling to from Argentina when the outbreak began. The government there initially refused to let any passengers ashore due to the virus.
Faeces - Waste matter discharged from the bowels; solid bodily waste excreted through the anus.
Saliva - The watery liquid produced in your mouth that helps you swallow and start breaking down food, informally called spit.
Rodent - A type of small mammal with sharp front teeth for gnawing, such as a rat, mouse, or squirrel.
WHO - Short for the World Health Organisation.
Repatriated - To be sent back to one's own country. In this context, passengers from the cruise ship are to be returned home under "medical guarantees" to ensure public safety.
Pandemic - An outbreak of disease which occurs across a wide geographic area, as opposed to an epidemic, which is confined to a particular region.
Proximity - How close one person or thing is to another in space or time.