Three passengers have died from a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde. The outbreak occurred while the ship was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
As of early Tuesday, one confirmed case of hantavirus infection has been reported, along with five additional suspected cases. The first victim was a 70-year-old man who developed symptoms onboard and subsequently died.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill during the voyage. She was evacuated to South Africa, where she later succumbed to the illness. A 69-year-old British national is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
The MV Hondius can accommodate about 170 passengers and has 70 crew members. Discussions are ongoing regarding whether two other sick passengers should be placed in isolation at a hospital in Cape Verde.
Key details:
- Confirmed cases: 1
- Suspected cases: 5
- Total deaths: 3
The World Health Organization (WHO) is involved, stating it is ‘facilitating coordination’ between national authorities and the ship’s operators for medical evacuations. Hantavirus infections typically arise from exposure to infected rodents’ feces or urine.
Officials have not confirmed the nationalities of the deceased passengers. This outbreak highlights ongoing health risks associated with travel and respiratory illnesses.
