Three die in cruise ship virus outbreak

• Three people died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a ship
• The MV Hondius had 150 tourists; one patient is in intensive care
• WHO and South African health officials are conducting investigations

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has resulted in the deaths

of three individuals, including an elderly married couple, and has sickened at least three others, according to the World Health Organization and South Africa's Department of Health. In a statement to The Associated Press, the WHO reported that an investigation is ongoing, with at least one confirmed case of hantavirus. One of the affected individuals is currently in intensive care at a South African hospital, while authorities are working to evacuate two other symptomatic passengers from the vessel.

Hantavirus, a disease transmitted through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, has been highlighted in recent discussions, particularly following the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, from the virus last year. The WHO indicated that hantavirus can lead to severe respiratory illness, specifically hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, as noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While cases are rare, the WHO acknowledged that hantavirus can be transmitted between humans. The organization stated, “WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”

The outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which departed from Argentina approximately three weeks ago, and included stops in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands before heading toward Spain's Canary Islands. The MarineTraffic global shipping website identified the vessel as a Dutch-flagged passenger ship, currently docked in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.

The first victim, a 70-year-old man, passed away on the ship, and his body was later removed in the British territory of Saint Helena. His wife collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return to the Netherlands and subsequently died in a nearby hospital.

South Africa's Department of Health identified the patient in intensive care in Johannesburg as a British national, who fell ill near Ascension Island after leaving Saint Helena and was transferred to South Africa for treatment.

At the time of the outbreak, approximately 150 tourists were aboard the ship, with several online tour operators noting that the Hondius typically operates with around 70 crew members. The WHO is collaborating with national authorities and the ship's operators to perform a comprehensive public health risk assessment and provide ongoing support to those still on the ship.

In addition, South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases is conducting contact tracing in Johannesburg to determine if others were exposed to the infected passengers. While there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections, early medical intervention can improve survival chances.