Hantavirus Outbreak Claims Three Lives on Atlantic Cruise

A suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondiu cruise ship has resulted in three deaths, as confirmed by South African health officials. The World Health Organization reported five suspected cases aboard the vessel, which is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

The ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20, is expected to complete its journey to Cape Verde by May 4. Among the 150 tourists on board, a Dutch couple, aged 70 and 69, fell ill upon arrival at St. Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.

The man developed symptoms including fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, while the woman was evacuated to South Africa, where she later died in a Johannesburg hospital. Health officials are assessing the situation and determining whether to isolate the two symptomatic passengers.

The ship is currently en route to Spain's Canary Islands for further medical assistance.