Three people have died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde, with at least three others infected and investigations ongoing to determine how the rare virus spread among passengers and crew.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A suspected outbreak of rare hantavirus infection aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has claimed three lives, including an elderly married couple, and infected at least three others, the World Health Organization and South Africa's Department of Health announced Sunday.
The WHO confirmed that an investigation is underway with at least one confirmed hantavirus case. One patient is receiving intensive care in a South African hospital, and the UN health agency is coordinating with authorities to evacuate two symptomatic individuals from the vessel.
The Dutch cruise operator reports the ship is currently anchored off Cape Verde, an island nation off West Africa's coast. Local authorities are assisting but have not permitted anyone to leave the ship. The two ill crew members aboard require urgent medical attention.
Hantavirus infections spread primarily through rodent contact
Hantaviruses, found worldwide, are transmitted mainly through contact with urine or feces from infected rodents such as rats and mice. The infection gained public attention following the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of late actor Gene Hackman, from hantavirus in New Mexico last year. Hackman died approximately one week later at their home from heart disease.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses cause two serious syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which severely affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which severely affects the kidneys.
While uncommon, the WHO notes hantavirus can spread between people. No specific treatment or cure exists, though early medical intervention improves survival chances.
"WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean," the organization stated. "Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological analysis. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Virus sequencing is also underway."
Weekslong cruise originated in Argentina
South Africa's Department of Health identified the vessel as the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which departed Argentina approximately three weeks ago on a cruise visiting Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other ports. The ship was scheduled to ultimately reach Spain's Canary Islands across the Atlantic.
The first victim, a 70-year-old man, died aboard the ship, with his body removed in the British territory of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, according to the South African health department. His wife collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to board a flight to her home country, the Netherlands, and subsequently died at a nearby hospital.
The patient in intensive care at a Johannesburg hospital is identified as a British national, the department stated.