Arabic version: تفشي فيروس هانتا يؤدي إلى وفاة ثلاثة أشخاص على متن سفينة سياحية في المحيط الأطلسي

Three people have died on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship traveling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde, due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak, according to SBS News. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that one of the deceased had a confirmed case of the virus, while five additional cases are under investigation.

The outbreak was reported by the WHO, which stated that of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa. The first victim was a 70-year-old passenger who developed symptoms while onboard and passed away before the ship reached port. His 69-year-old wife also fell ill and was evacuated to South Africa, where she subsequently died in a Johannesburg hospital.

The third fatality was a 69-year-old Briton, who was also evacuated and is receiving treatment in intensive care. The WHO has indicated that hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to the droppings or urine of infected rodents, raising concerns about the ship’s environment.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the agency is coordinating with the ship’s operators and affected member states to manage the situation. The WHO is conducting a full risk assessment and facilitating the medical evacuation of symptomatic passengers. Discussions are ongoing regarding the isolation of two additional sick passengers in Cape Verde before the ship continues its journey to Spain’s Canary Islands.

The MV Hondius is operated by the Dutch-based company Oceanwide Expeditions and can accommodate around 170 passengers along with 70 crew members. The cruise itinerary includes stops at various locations, including the islands of South Georgia and Saint Helena. The ship was reported to be stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, at the time of the outbreak.