WHO Reports Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship, Resulting in Multiple Deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship, the MV Hondius, which is currently marooned off the coast of Cape Verde. The outbreak has resulted in seven cases, including three deaths. The ship, carrying mostly British, American, and Spanish passengers, was on an Antarctic nature expedition. The first victim, a Dutch man, died on April 11, and his body was disembarked on St Helena. His wife also fell ill and died shortly after. A British passenger was medically evacuated to South Africa and tested positive for hantavirus. The ship has been refused permission to dock, leaving about 150 people stranded onboard.