Hantavirus Outbreak Strikes Dutch Cruise Ship

A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde has resulted in three deaths and several illnesses. The World Health Organization is investigating, confirming one case. Infected individuals were exposed to rodent excrement. Efforts are underway to evacuate symptomatic passengers.

An alarming hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic has resulted in the deaths of three passengers and the illness of at least three others, as confirmed by the World Health Organization on Sunday.

The WHO has initiated a thorough investigation, confirming at least one case of the virus contracted through exposure to infected rodent excrement. One patient remains in intensive care at a South African hospital, while the UN health agency collaborates with local authorities to evacuate two symptomatic passengers.

The ship, identified by South African media as the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel, was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa. According to MarineTraffic, it was moored in Praia, Cape Verde's capital, on Sunday night.