cape town, south africaAP —
The World Health Organization said Sunday that an outbreak of suspected hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at least three others.
The WHO said in a statement to The Associated Press that at least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed, although the investigation is ongoing.
The United Nations health agency said one of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, adding that it was working with authorities to evacuate two other symptomatic passengers from the ship.
“Detailed investigations are underway, including further clinical tests and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO said. “Passengers and crew are being provided medical care and assistance. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”
Hantavirus infections are usually associated with exposure to the feces or urine of infected rodents, the WHO said. Although rare, it can be transmitted from person to person and cause serious respiratory illness, the WHO said.
There is no specific treatment or cure, but early treatment increases your chances of survival.
Although the WHO has not identified the ship, South African media reports said the outbreak occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa.
MarineTraffic’s global shipping website identified the vessel as a Dutch-flagged passenger vessel. It was spotted anchored in Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, on Sunday night.
The first victim, an elderly man, died on board, South African media reported, citing Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for the South African Department of Health. Mohale said his wife later died at a hospital in South Africa.
Hantaviruses made headlines last year after Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late Gene Hackman, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. Hackman died at home a week later.
