Three people have died and a British national is fighting for their life in intensive care following a suspected virus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed to the BBC that one case of Hantavirus has been identified, with five additional suspected cases currently under investigation.
Details of the Outbreak
The fatalities occurred aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship operated by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was en route from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde when the outbreak began. According to South African health authorities, a 70-year-old passenger was the first to display symptoms.
Victims and Evacuations
One passenger died on board, and their body is now on the British island of Saint Helena. The victim’s 69-year-old wife also fell ill and was evacuated to South Africa, where she later died in a Johannesburg hospital. Additionally, a 69-year-old British national is receiving treatment in intensive care at a hospital in Johannesburg.
The WHO has described the situation as a “public health event” and is coordinating the medical evacuation of two other symptomatic passengers.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause severe disease in humans worldwide. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people typically contract the virus through contact with rodents, such as rats and mice, particularly exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. In rare instances, person-to-person transmission can occur.
Ship’s Journey and Response
The MV Hondius departed Argentina on March 20 and was scheduled to arrive in Cape Verde on May 4. Oceanwide Expeditions has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. The outbreak has raised concerns about health protocols on cruise ships and the challenges of managing infectious diseases at sea.
