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Cape Town, South Africa — <\/span>a suspected outbreak of rare hantavirus infection<\/a> Three people, including an elderly married couple, have died, and at least three others have fallen ill on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean World Health Organization<\/a> And South African<\/a> The Health Department gave this information on Sunday.<\/p>\n In a statement to The Associated Press, WHO said the investigation was ongoing but at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. The UN health agency said one of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, and it was working with authorities to evacuate two other people with symptoms from the ship. <\/p>\n The Dutch company operating the cruise said the ship is now anchored off the coast Cape Verde<\/a>An island nation off the west coast of Africa, and local officials were assisting, but did not allow anyone to disembark. It said the two sick people on board the ship who required immediate medical care were crew members.<\/p>\n Hantaviruses, which are found throughout the world, are a family of viruses that spread primarily through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, such as rats and mice. He gained attention after the late actor Gene Hackman’s<\/a> Wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus infection<\/a> Last year in New Mexico. <\/p>\n Hackman died of heart disease at his home about a week later.<\/p>\n According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses cause two serious syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious illness that affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a serious illness that affects the kidneys.<\/p>\n Although rare, WHO said hantavirus infection can spread between people. There is no specific treatment or cure, but prompt medical attention can increase the chances of survival.<\/p>\n “WHO is aware of and is supporting a public health event involving a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the organization said. “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.”<\/p>\n