Three people have died and five others have fallen ill in a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde. The Netherlands-based cruise line, Oceanwide Expeditions, has confirmed it is managing a serious medical situation on its polar expedition ship, the MV Hondius.
Details of the Outbreak
Among the deceased are a Dutch couple. The 70-year-old man suddenly developed fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, and died upon arrival at St Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His wife, aged 69, was evacuated to South Africa but died in a Johannesburg hospital. A third fatality remains on board, according to a source cited by AFP.
A British national, also 69, is in intensive care in Johannesburg and has tested positive for the virus, local officials confirmed.
The Affected Vessel
The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, a polar cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, carrying approximately 150 tourists from various countries. The vessel departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on 20 March and was scheduled to arrive in Cape Verde on 4 May.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans from rodents via their urine or faeces and can cause severe respiratory illness. Health authorities are working to contain the situation and prevent further infections.
