A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people, including an elderly Dutch couple, and sickened at least three others, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa’s health department.
The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde. The WHO confirmed at least one case of hantavirus, with one patient in intensive care in a South African hospital. The agency is working to evacuate two other symptomatic individuals from the ship.
The deceased include a 70-year-old Dutch man and his 69-year-old wife. The man died on the island of Saint Helena, while his wife died at a hospital in Kempton Park, South Africa. A third fatality, a British man aged 69, tested positive for hantavirus and died after being taken to a private health facility in Johannesburg.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with rodent urine or faeces. It can cause severe lung or kidney disease, and while rare, human-to-human transmission is possible. There is no specific treatment, but early medical care improves survival chances.
The ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, said two crew members require urgent medical care and the third body remains onboard. The vessel has not been authorised by Cape Verdean authorities to disembark those needing care. Dutch authorities are coordinating repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals and the deceased.
The UK Foreign Office stated it is monitoring the situation and ready to support British nationals if needed.
