The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of a new variant of the virus called “Hantavirus”.
Three people have died after a case of hantavirus was confirmed among passengers on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, a new report shows.
As reported, the incident affected six individuals, three of whom died and one is in intensive care in South Africa, as stated in a post on X.
WHO did not name the ship or its operator, although a source familiar with the situation said it was the MV Hondius, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
“WHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and ship operators for the medical evacuation of the two symptomatic passengers, as well as providing full public health risk assessment and assistance to the passengers remaining on board the ship,” WHO said.
A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that two Dutch passengers had died, but did not provide any further details.
Sky News, citing South Africa’s Department of Health. A British tourist was being treated at a hospital in South Africa after a suspected hantavirus outbreak, it was reported.
The media outlet further reported that the UK Foreign Office was closely monitoring reports of a possible hantavirus outbreak on Hondius and was in contact with the cruise company and local authorities.
The British Foreign Office and South Africa’s health department did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
