A suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people, including an elderly Dutch couple, and sickened at least three others, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South Africa’s health department confirmed on Sunday.
The WHO said an investigation is under way, with at least one case of hantavirus confirmed. One patient is in intensive care in a South African hospital, and the WHO is working to evacuate two others with symptoms from the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde. The ship was off the coast of Praia, Cape Verde, on Sunday night.
The deceased include a 70-year-old Dutch man and his 69-year-old wife. The man fell ill on board and died on 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 spread through contact with rodent urine or faeces. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. 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 fatality remains on board. Cape Verdean authorities have not authorised disembarkation for those needing care. Dutch authorities are leading repatriation efforts for 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.
