Three people have died from a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Investigations are ongoing into how the rare rodent-borne virus was transmitted.
As of midday, one patient remains in intensive care in South Africa. Two crew members require urgent medical care due to symptoms associated with the virus.
The cruise ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, approximately three weeks ago and was en route to Cape Verde. Six individuals have been affected by this suspected outbreak.
The World Health Organization stated, “Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure (exposure to infected rodents’ urine or faeces).” The first patient to show symptoms was a 70-year-old man who died aboard the ship.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill and later died in a Johannesburg hospital. Hantavirus can cause severe respiratory illness and hemorrhagic fever, making it critical for public health measures to be implemented swiftly.
Medical evacuations are underway as authorities conduct epidemiological assessments. The next steps will include further laboratory testing and detailed investigations.
No timeline has been shared regarding when definitive answers about the outbreak will emerge. Officials have not confirmed the nationalities of the deceased.
There are at least 38 recognized species of hantavirus globally, with 24 known to cause disease in humans. These infections are rare and often misdiagnosed as other illnesses.
