Three cruise ship passengers in the Atlantic died, likely due to a mysterious virus outbreak
What is this hantavirus?
MV Hondius liner, photo by Cruise Mapper
The World Health Organization reported the death of three passengers on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic due to an outbreak of an illness, including a confirmed case of hantavirus — a rare but potentially severe infection, writes "Dozhd" with reference to France 24.
The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, which was en route from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Cabo Verde.
Earlier on Sunday, South Africa's Ministry of Health informed AFP about an outbreak of "severe acute respiratory illness" that killed at least two people, with a third in intensive care in Johannesburg.
Hantavirus — a family of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever — was detected in a patient undergoing treatment in Johannesburg, said South African Ministry of Health representative Foster Mohale.
"To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and five more cases are under suspicion," the World Health Organization told AFP.
"Of the six affected, three have died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa."
In its statement, the WHO noted that hantavirus infection "is usually associated with environmental exposure (contact with urine or feces of infected rodents)."
"Although rare, hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person and lead to severe respiratory illnesses requiring close patient monitoring, necessary support, and timely response."
It is known that among the deceased was a married couple (70 and 69 years old) from the Netherlands.
Currently, the MV Hondius liner, with approximately 170 passengers and 70 crew members on board, is near the port of Praia — the capital of Cabo Verde. Medical personnel are considering the possible isolation of two more ill tourists in a local clinic.
There is no specific vaccine or antiviral drug for hantavirus — doctors can only support the patient's life: connect them to artificial lung ventilation machines, administer IV drips. Mortality in the severe pulmonary form reaches 40%, and sometimes only a few days pass from the first signs of the disease to death.
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