Three people have died and at least three others have fallen ill in a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa's health department have confirmed.
The victims include a Dutch couple aged 70 and 69, and a third person whose identity has not been released. The man died on the island of Saint Helena, while his wife died at a hospital in Kempton Park, South Africa. A 69-year-old British man who became ill tested positive for hantavirus and is being treated in Johannesburg.
The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions. The ship was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde and was anchored off Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday. Two crew members remain onboard requiring urgent medical care, and the body of the third deceased is still on the vessel.
Hantavirus is typically spread 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 WHO is supporting investigations and coordinating medical evacuations.
Oceanwide Expeditions said it is working with Dutch authorities to repatriate the two symptomatic individuals and the deceased. The UK Foreign Office stated it is monitoring the situation and ready to support British nationals.
