Three people have died and at least three others have fallen ill following a suspected virus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the World Health Organisation.
The WHO said an investigation is continuing and confirmed that at least one case of hantavirus has been identified. Hantavirus is found around the world and is usually spread through contact with rodents or their urine or faeces.
One patient was being treated in intensive care at a South African hospital, while efforts were under way to evacuate two more passengers showing symptoms from the ship.
“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO said. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”
The ship involved is the MV Hondius, operated by Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions. In a statement, the company said it was “managing a serious medical situation” aboard the polar expedition vessel, which was off Cape Verde, the island nation off the west coast of Africa.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed that two Dutch passengers had died. The vessel had reportedly departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 for a voyage that included Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and other stops before heading to Spain’s Canary Islands.
Tracking data showed the ship was near Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday night UK time.
South Africa’s Department of Health said the first person to die was a 70-year-old man who passed away on board. His body was removed when the ship reached Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. The department said his wife later collapsed at an airport in South Africa while trying to fly home to the Netherlands and died in a nearby hospital.
It also said a British passenger now in intensive care became ill near Ascension Island after the ship left Saint Helena and was later transferred to South Africa.
Reports indicated a third person who died was still on board, while authorities were considering whether two other unwell passengers should be isolated in hospital in Cape Verde before the ship continues to the Canary Islands.
In a statement to the BBC, Oceanwide Expeditions said a strain of hantavirus had been found in the British passenger evacuated to South Africa, but the infection had not been confirmed in the two symptomatic passengers still on board.
South Africa’s health department said about 150 tourists were on the ship at the time of the outbreak. The MV Hondius also usually carries around 70 crew members. The expedition cruise is known for attracting birdwatchers.
The WHO said it was working with national authorities and the ship operator to carry out a “full public health risk assessment” and support those still on board.
At the same time, South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases was tracing contacts in the Johannesburg area to find out whether anyone else may have been exposed.
The WHO said hantavirus infections are generally associated with exposure to infected rodent urine or faeces. Although rare, the virus can sometimes spread from person to person and may cause severe respiratory illness.
There is no specific cure or treatment, but early medical care can improve the chances of survival.
Hantavirus drew wider attention after Betsy Arakawa, wife of late actor Gene Hackman, died from the infection in New Mexico last year. Hackman died a week later at their home.
