A British tourist is in a critical but stable condition in intensive care in South Africa following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing through the Atlantic Ocean, tour company Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed.
Outbreak Details
Three people have died and at least three others are ill, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement to The Associated Press. The UN agency also confirmed that an investigation has been launched and at least one case of hantavirus has been identified.
The suspected outbreak was reported on the Dutch-flagged passenger cruise ship MV Hondius, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. The British passenger became seriously ill and was medically evacuated to South Africa on April 27, where they are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit in Johannesburg.
Current Status
Oceanwide Expeditions stated on Monday that the patient is in a critical but stable condition, and a variant of hantavirus has been detected in this individual. As of Monday afternoon, the ship remains off the coast of Cape Verde, carrying 149 people on board, including 19 British passengers and four British crew members.
Two crew members, one British and one Dutch, are experiencing acute respiratory symptoms—one mild and one severe. Both require urgent medical care, and no other symptomatic individuals have been identified at this time.
Investigation and Response
Hantavirus has not yet been confirmed in the two individuals still on board requiring medical care, nor has it been established that the virus is linked to the three deaths associated with the voyage, the tour operator noted. The cruise operator said that disembarkation, medical evacuation, and screening require permission from and coordination with local health authorities, who have visited the vessel and assessed the situation.
