Three die on Atlantic cruise ship from suspected hantavirus

A view of the cruise ship MV Hondius, stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026. (AFP)
A view of the cruise ship MV Hondius, stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026. (AFP)

Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the World Health Organization says, one a confirmed case of hantavirus — an illness usually transmitted to humans from rodents.

The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, traveling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.

“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases,” the WHO tells AFP.

“Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.”

Earlier Sunday, South Africa’s health ministry told AFP there had been an outbreak of a “severe acute respiratory illness” that killed at least two people, with a third in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.