Three individuals have lost their lives on MV Hondius cruise ship due to a confirmed case of hantavirus, while a British citizen is currently in critical condition. Hantavirus infections are commonly associated with exposure to environments contaminated by urine or feces of infected rodents. Transmission of the virus from person-to-person is uncommon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified six suspected cases of hantavirus on the MV Hondius, which was en route from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cape Verde, Africa. A 70-year-old Dutch man and his 69-year-old wife succumbed to the disease. Meanwhile, a 69-year-old British man has been hospitalized in Johannesburg for intensive care. Passengers aboard the cruise are awaiting authorization to disembark.