Cruise Ship Hit by Hantavirus Outbreak: 3 Dead

cape verde islands, atlantic ocean - Three passengers died and five fell ill on MV Hondius cruise ship due to a hantavirus outbreak near Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The virus's long incubation period raises concerns for new cases.

Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship

A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has claimed the lives of three passengers and left five others sick as the ship sailed near the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Details of the Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the deaths of a Dutch couple in their late 60s and a British passenger in critical condition in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The cruise company reported that two crew members urgently needed medical care but were denied landing in Cape Verde. The virus, carried by rodents, has a long incubation period of 1-8 weeks, increasing the likelihood of new cases.

There are concerns that passengers might have been infected before boarding the ship, as investigations continue into the source and spread of the outbreak.