At least three people have died and three others are believed to be infected by a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that had been traveling across the South Atlantic Ocean to Cape Verde. The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 and was expected to arrive in Cape Verde on Monday.
According to media reports, a Dutch couple died during the cruise, and another deceased person remained aboard the ship as it headed toward the chain of islands off the coast of Western Africa. The Dutch-flagged vessel docked in Cape Verde's capital, Praia, on Sunday night, as confirmed by the MarineTraffic global shipping website.
Officials from the World Health Organization confirmed at least one case of hantavirus, with five others under investigation. A British national believed to be infected was hospitalized in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was in critical condition. Plans were underway to evacuate two other passengers exhibiting symptoms of the virus. It remains unclear if any Canadians were on board.
Details of the Deceased
The first deceased passenger, a 70-year-old man from the Netherlands, died aboard the ship. His body was left in the British territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic about 1,500 kilometers west of Angola. His 69-year-old wife became ill on board and was evacuated to a hospital in Johannesburg, where she later died.
Hantavirus Transmission and Symptoms
Hantavirus is spread through urine and feces from infected rodents, according to Health Canada. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing. There is no cure for the virus, but patients' symptoms can improve with treatment. Health Canada notes that about 40% of those diagnosed with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome do not recover, while 1% to 12% of those with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may not survive.
The MV Hondius is a 107.6-meter Polar Class 6 ship that can host 170 passengers in 80 cabins, with room for 57 crew members, 13 guides, and a doctor, according to Oceanwide Expeditions' website.
