WHO says three of the six travelers who fell ill with the suspected rodent-transmitted virus have died, and one is in intensive care.
Published on 3 May 2026
Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, at least one of whom has been confirmed to be suffering from hantavirus, a rare disease spread from rats to humans.
Health officials are now investigating a suspected outbreak of the virus on the MV Hondius, which is sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.
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The World Health Organization said in a statement on Sunday that one case had been confirmed and at least five other travelers were suspected of being infected.
“Of the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa,” WHO said in a statement.
“A detailed investigation is ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigation. Passengers and crew are being provided medical care and support. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”
WHO said it was “facilitating coordination” between countries to evacuate two other passengers who showed symptoms of infection.
Hantavirus, a rare disease spread to humans through the feces or urine of infected rodents, can be fatal in severe cases and cause hemorrhagic fever.
Infected couple also included in casualties
South Africa’s national health department said earlier on Sunday that an outbreak of “severe acute respiratory illness” has killed at least two people, and a third person is in intensive care in Johannesburg, according to the AFP news agency.
Ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed that the patient undergoing treatment in Johannesburg has tested positive for hantavirus.
A 70-year-old man first developed symptoms. The spokesman said he died on board the ship, with his body now being held on the island of St Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.
The patient’s 69-year-old wife also fell ill and was flown to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, he said.
Mohale told AFP that authorities had not confirmed the nationalities of the dead. But AFP described the man in intensive care as a 69-year-old Briton.
