Three Dead After Hantavirus Outbreak Strikes Cruise Ship

(MENAFN) Three people are dead and a fourth remains in intensive care after a suspected hantavirus outbreak tore through a Netherlands-based cruise ship, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Sunday — raising urgent alarms over a rodent-borne pathogen capable of triggering fatal respiratory failure.

"Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa," the agency said.

Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions, operator of the stricken vessel, confirmed the deaths in an official statement, disclosing that "two crew members on board require urgent medical care."

The affected ship, MV Hondius, departed Argentina approximately three weeks ago carrying around 150 passengers, navigating through Antarctica and several other ports before heading toward Cape Verde — where authorities have so far blocked the disembarkation of ill passengers, despite local health officials having assessed two symptomatic individuals on board, according to the company's news release.

The WHO said laboratory testing and epidemiological assessments are actively underway as medical personnel attend to both passengers and crew. "Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing," it said.

The agency underscored the nature of the pathogen at the center of the crisis: "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," it said.

International coordination efforts are now in motion. "WHO is facilitating coordination between Member States and the Ship's operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board. WHO is grateful for the rapid actions and coordination," it said.

The organization added: "We have informed our National Focal Points according to the International Health Regulations and a Disease Outbreak News for the public will be issued."

Media, citing South Africa's Department of Health, reported that at least one of the affected passengers holds British nationality — an disclosure likely to intensify scrutiny from European governments monitoring the unfolding situation.

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