Three Dead After Virus Outbreak on Cruise Ship

A deadly outbreak of an acute respiratory illness has occurred aboard the expedition cruise ship “MV Hondius” off the coast of Cape Verde. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three people have died so far, and another patient is being treated in an intensive care unit in South Africa.

The outbreak occurred during a voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde. A total of six cases have been reported so far. Hantavirus was detected in one of the deceased; the remaining cases are suspected cases.

According to South African health authorities, a 70-year-old passenger initially showed symptoms and died while still on board. His body was transported to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. Shortly afterward, his 69-year-old wife also became seriously ill. She was airlifted to Johannesburg, where she died in hospital shortly thereafter.

Another patient, a 69-year-old British citizen, was also evacuated to South Africa and tested positive for hantavirus. He is currently receiving intensive medical treatment. Later, the WHO confirmed that the death toll had risen to three.

The WHO stated that comprehensive investigations into the cases of severe respiratory illness are currently underway. International health authorities are working together on a coordinated response to determine the cause of the outbreak and prevent further infections.

The “MV Hondius,” operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, accommodates around 170 passengers and about 70 crew members. According to ship tracking data, the vessel was most recently located off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.

Hantaviruses are typically transmitted through contact with excretions from infected rodents, such as urine, feces, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare but cannot be completely ruled out. Severe disease courses are possible and may particularly affect the respiratory system.

Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal