Three dead and Brit fighting for life after virus outbreak on cruise ship
One case of Hantavirus has been confirmed (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Three people have died and a British national is in intensive care after a suspected virus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic.
One case of Hantavirus has been confirmed and five more suspected cases are under investigation, the World Health Organisation told the BBC.
The deaths have been reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde.
South African authorities reported that a 70-year-old passenger was the first person to show symptoms.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide.
People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva, according to the CDC.
In rare cases Hantavirus can spread between people.
The cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026 (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
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They died on board and his body is now on the British island of Saint Helena.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on baord and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in hospital in Johannesburg.
A 69-year-old Briton is also being treated in intensive care in hospital in Johannesburg.
The WHO described the outbreak as a ‘public health event’ and said they are coordinating a medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers.
MV Hondius is run by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.
The ship departed Ushuaia in Argentina on March 20 and was due to arrive in Cape Verde on May 4.
Oceanwide Expeditions has been contacted for comment.
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