Hantavirus Confirmed on Cruise Ship After Three Deaths
Three people have died on a cruise ship. The vessel is the MV Hondius.
Tragedy on the MV Hondius
The operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed the deaths. A Dutch husband and wife died, along with a German national. The cause of their deaths is still unknown.However, the company confirmed hantavirus in a UK national. The patient is 69 years old. He is in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa.
It Is Hantavirus
Hantavirus usually passes to humans from rodents. Transmission happens through faeces, saliva, or urine. It can cause severe respiratory illness. Rarely, it can spread between people.
Current Situation
The MV Hondius is currently off the coast of Cape Verde. There are 149 people on board. Two crew members also have acute respiratory symptoms. One is mild, and one is severe. They are of British and Dutch nationality. Both need urgent medical care. However, hantavirus has not been confirmed in them yet. No other people with symptoms have been identified.
