Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) shares climbed 10% on Thursday as concerns mounted over a hantavirus outbreak connected to a cruise ship.
The World Health Organization reported Thursday that eight hantavirus cases have been identified among people linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. The cases include three confirmed infections and five suspected cases. Health authorities in multiple countries are working to trace and contain the outbreak.
The vessel is traveling toward Spain’s Canary Islands with remaining passengers on board. Two passengers in serious condition were evacuated from the ship and arrived in the Netherlands for treatment, according to vessel operator Oceanwide Expeditions. A third evacuee, not currently showing symptoms, is also receiving medical care there.
The evacuated passengers include a British national, a 65-year-old German and a 41-year-old Dutch crew member. The MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 people, is expected to dock in Tenerife within three days, according to Spain’s Health Minister Monica Garcia. She added that those still on board were not presenting symptoms.
The ship departed from Argentina last month. Three deaths have been reported, with officials confirming one of the deceased had the virus. The other two deaths remain under investigation.
An international team of scientists from the University of Bath, the United States and South Africa is working on a hantavirus vaccine. The virus is typically spread by rodents. The origin of the outbreak remains unknown and it is unclear if people other than ship passengers have been infected.
Moderna shares also gained after the company announced publication in the New England Journal of Medicine of positive Phase 3 study results for mRNA-1010, its seasonal influenza vaccine candidate. The peer-reviewed article presents safety and efficacy data from the Phase 3 study evaluating the vaccine in adults aged 50 years and older compared to a licensed standard-dose seasonal influenza vaccine.
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