health
Three passengers dead after suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship
Further three people taken ill, including 69-year-old Briton reported to be in intensive care in South Africa
TL;DR
- Three people have died due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
- There is one confirmed case and five suspected cases of hantavirus infection.
- Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is in intensive care in South Africa.
- The affected individuals include a couple aged 70 and 69, and a 69-year-old British national.
- The cruise ship was traveling between Argentina and Cape Verde.
- Hantavirus is a family of viruses that can cause severe respiratory illness and is typically spread through rodents, but can rarely spread between people.
- Discussions are underway regarding the isolation of two other sick passengers in Cape Verde.