Suspected hantavirus outbreak sickens cruise ship passengers, kills three, WHO says

Three passengers have died and three more have been sickened by a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Sunday.

The U.N. health agency said one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Three of the six victims have died and one is hospitalized in intensive care in South Africa where the ship docked, officials said.

“WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the agency wrote on X. “To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” it added. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”

Hantavirus infections are typically linked to infected rodents’ urine or feces and can cause extreme respiratory distress.

The affected ship is the m/v Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.