News
Three die after suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship
Brief
Three people have died and one case of hantavirus has been confirmed among passengers on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, with health authorities investigating additional suspected cases.
In-depth
Health authorities say one infection has been laboratory confirmed and five further cases are suspected, with three deaths reported among six affected individuals and one patient in intensive care in South Africa.
The outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius during a voyage from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde, with at least one passenger evacuated for treatment in Johannesburg after testing positive for hantavirus.
Hantaviruses are spread by rodents, particularly through contact with urine, droppings or saliva, and can cause severe illness, including haemorrhagic fever, depending on the strain.
Officials say an international public health response is under way as they assess whether additional sick passengers should be isolated in hospital before the ship continues its journey.
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