Tragic Outbreak on Atlantic Cruise: Three Fatalities Linked to Suspected Hantavirus

In a tragic turn of events aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, three individuals have lost their lives, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. Among the deceased, one case has been confirmed as hantavirus, a rare disease typically spread to humans through contact with rodents.

The outbreak transpired on the MV Hondius, a vessel en route from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.

According to the WHO, “One case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed through laboratory testing, with five more suspected cases under investigation,” as they communicated to the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Out of the six individuals affected by this outbreak, three have succumbed to the illness, while another person is currently receiving intensive care treatment in South Africa.

Earlier in the day, South Africa’s health ministry informed Agence France-Presse about an outbreak of a “severe acute respiratory illness.” This outbreak has resulted in at least two fatalities, with a third individual being treated in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg.

The patient treated in Johannesburg tested positive for a hantavirus, a family of viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever, South African spokesperson Foster Mohale said.

What is hantavirus?

In its statement, the WHO said: “Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure (exposure to infected rodents’ urine or faeces).”

“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response.”

Humans can catch hantaviruses from contact with infected mice or rats, or from their droppings, or from being bitten or inhaling contaminated dust.

There are multiple types of hantaviruses in different parts of the world, with different symptoms.

Husband and wife among the dead

The first person to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died on board the ship and his body was currently on the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic, Mohale said.

His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, he said, adding that they were not yet able to confirm the victims’ nationalities.

The third case, a 69-year-old Briton, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he had been treated in intensive care.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X that the agency was working with the ship’s operators and member states affected.

“WHO is facilitating medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, conducting a full risk assessment, and supporting affected people onboard,” he added.

“Rapid, coordinated action is critical to contain risks and protect public health.”

Earlier on Monday, a source close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said a Dutch couple were among the dead. The third fatality was still on board the ship.

Discussions were underway to decide whether two other sick passengers should be placed in isolation in a hospital in Cape Verde, after which the ship would continue to Spain’s Canary Islands, the anonymous source said.

What do we know about the ship, MV Hondius?

The MV Hondius is listed as a polar cruise ship on the websites of several travel agencies. It is operated by a Dutch-based tour company, Oceanwide Expeditions.

One of the cruises offers an itinerary departing from Ushuaia for Cape Verde, with stops at the islands of South Georgia and Saint Helena.

According to several online ship-tracking sites, the MV Hondius was just off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday local time.

The vessel can accommodate around 170 passengers and has some 70 crew members.

AFP contacted the cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions but has not yet had a reply.

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