Three passengers have died on a polar cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed. The infection was reported on the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde.
At least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed, with one patient currently in intensive care in a South African hospital. Two of the deceased were a couple from the Netherlands, the WHO said.
Hantavirus is a rodent-carried disease that is not usually contagious between humans. Outbreaks are rare, and the virus can cause severe respiratory illness. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, which can progress to difficulty breathing.
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, and supportive care is the mainstay. The WHO continues to monitor the situation, and authorities are investigating the source of the outbreak on the ship.
