Three passengers have died following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a polar cruise ship, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde.
The WHO confirmed at least one case of hantavirus, with a patient in intensive care in a South African hospital. Two of the deceased were a couple from the Netherlands.
Hantavirus is a rare disease carried by rodents. It is not usually contagious between humans, and outbreaks are uncommon. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness, but details on symptoms and treatment were not provided by the WHO in this instance.
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