WHO Confirms 3 Deaths on Atlantic Cruise Ship, Suspected Hantavirus Infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that three people have died on a cruise ship sailing the Atlantic, with one confirmed case of Hantavirus infection. This disease is typically transmitted from rodents to humans.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 06:01
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Praia, Cape Verde, May 3, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that three people have died on a cruise ship sailing the Atlantic, with one confirmed case of Hantavirus infection. This disease is usually transmitted from rodents to humans.
According to Agence France-Presse, this outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.
The World Health Organization (WHO) told Agence France-Presse: "To date, there has been one laboratory-confirmed case of Hantavirus infection and five suspected cases. Among the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in South Africa."
Earlier today, the South African Ministry of Health informed Agence France-Presse that the country was experiencing an outbreak of "severe acute respiratory disease" which had already caused at least two deaths, with one person currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the South African Ministry of Health, stated that the patient being treated in Johannesburg tested positive for Hantavirus.
The WHO noted in a statement: "Hantavirus infections are typically associated with environmental contact (contact with infected rodent urine or feces). Although rare, Hantavirus can also be transmitted between people, potentially causing severe respiratory disease, thus requiring careful monitoring, support, and response to patient conditions."
Mohale stated that the first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board the ship, and his remains are currently in Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and died in a Johannesburg hospital after being transferred to South Africa for medical treatment. Mohale said the nationality of the deceased could not be immediately confirmed.
The third patient was a 69-year-old British national, who was also transferred to Johannesburg for intensive care.
Unnamed sources indicated that the deceased included a Dutch couple, and stated that the body of the third deceased person was still on board the ship.
The WHO stated that it is currently "assisting national authorities and the shipping company in coordinating the medical evacuation of two symptomatic patients."
According to information from several travel websites, the MV Hondius is a polar expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions from the Netherlands. Its itinerary includes travel from Ushuaia to Cape Verde, passing through places like South Georgia and Saint Helena. (Compiled by Ho Hung-ju) 1150504
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(Central News Agency, Praia, Cape Verde, May 3, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that three people have died on a cruise ship sailing the Atlantic, with one confirmed case of Hantavirus infection. This disease is usually transmitted from rodents to humans.
According to Agence France-Presse, this outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.
The World Health Organization (WHO) told Agence France-Presse: "To date, there has been one laboratory-confirmed case of Hantavirus infection and five suspected cases. Among the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in South Africa."
Earlier today, the South African Ministry of Health informed Agence France-Presse that the country was experiencing an outbreak of "severe acute respiratory disease" which had already caused at least two deaths, with one person currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in Johannesburg.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the South African Ministry of Health, stated that the patient being treated in Johannesburg tested positive for Hantavirus.
The WHO noted in a statement: "Hantavirus infections are typically associated with environmental contact (contact with infected rodent urine or feces). Although rare, Hantavirus can also be transmitted between people, potentially causing severe respiratory disease, thus requiring careful monitoring, support, and response to patient conditions."
Mohale stated that the first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board the ship, and his remains are currently in Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and died in a Johannesburg hospital after being transferred to South Africa for medical treatment. Mohale said the nationality of the deceased could not be immediately confirmed.
The third patient was a 69-year-old British national, who was also transferred to Johannesburg for intensive care.
Unnamed sources indicated that the deceased included a Dutch couple, and stated that the body of the third deceased person was still on board the ship.
The WHO stated that it is currently "assisting national authorities and the shipping company in coordinating the medical evacuation of two symptomatic patients."
According to information from several travel websites, the MV Hondius is a polar expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions from the Netherlands. Its itinerary includes travel from Ushuaia to Cape Verde, passing through places like South Georgia and Saint Helena. (Compiled by Ho Hung-ju) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' App for real-time updates.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.