According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three people presumably died after being infected with the hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic.
May 4, 2026, 5:31 a.mMay 4, 2026, 5:31 a.m
Another three people are infected, one of whom is receiving intensive care in South Africa, the WHO announced on Platform X in Geneva. The Dutch Foreign Ministry said two of the dead were Dutch.
Several people died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. (symbol image)Image: keystone
Hantavirus can cause fever and severe respiratory illness in people. Infections can occur through contact with rodent excrement. In rare cases, the pathogen is also transmitted from person to person, according to the WHO.
So far one case has been confirmed in the laboratory
So far, one of the cases on the ship has been detected in a laboratory, the remaining infections are considered suspected cases. The remaining passengers and crew would receive medical support, the WHO said. A detailed epidemiological investigation is underway.
According to a BBC report, it is the ship “Hondius”. According to the ship’s schedule, the “Hondius” had set off from Ushuaia in southern Argentina. According to various tracking websites, the ship was last in front of its destination port in Cape Verde.
The ship from the Dutch operator Oceanwide Expeditions has space for 170 passengers and around 70 crew members. (sda/dpa)