Three passengers dead after suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

"Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic. One case of hantavirus infection had been confirmed and there were five additional suspected cases."

"The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, which was travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde. The ship is operated by the Dutch tour company Oceanwide Expeditions."

"Hantavirus is usually caught through contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents, but in rare cases can spread between people. It can lead to severe respiratory illness."

"The first person to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died onboard the ship and his body was currently on the island of Saint Helena."

A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in three deaths and one person in intensive care. The World Health Organization confirmed one case and five suspected cases. The deceased include a 70-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife. The outbreak occurred while the ship was traveling between Argentina and Cape Verde. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent waste and can cause severe respiratory illness. The first symptomatic passenger died onboard, and his wife later died in South Africa.

Read at www.theguardian.com