Three people have died from a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The outbreak has resulted in multiple medical evacuations and ongoing epidemiological investigations.
The cruise ship set sail from Argentina with about 150 passengers on board. It had made stops in Antarctica before heading towards Cape Verde. The first affected passenger was a 70-year-old man who died on the ship. His 69-year-old wife also fell ill and later died in a Johannesburg hospital.
As of midday, one patient remains in intensive care in South Africa. Two crew members require urgent medical care due to symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection.
The World Health Organization confirmed one case of hantavirus infection, with five additional suspected cases reported. Officials believe the outbreak is linked to environmental exposure to infected rodents’ urine or feces.
Key facts:
- Three deaths reported due to suspected hantavirus outbreak.
- One confirmed case and five suspected cases of hantavirus infection.
- Two crew members are receiving urgent medical care.
- Authorities are conducting contact tracing in South Africa.
Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness—specifically hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—which requires careful patient monitoring.
The World Health Organization is coordinating medical evacuation for two symptomatic passengers. As health authorities respond, they emphasize the importance of public health measures to mitigate further spread.
