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Three dead on Atlantic cruise ship from suspected hantavirus outbreak

other · 2026-05-03

Three people have died on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization confirmed on Sunday. One case has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases. One patient is in intensive care in South Africa. The ship was traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cabo Verde. Hantavirus is a respiratory illness usually transmitted from rodents to humans.

Key facts

  • Three people died on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic.
  • One death was a confirmed case of hantavirus.
  • Five additional suspected cases were reported.
  • One patient is in intensive care in South Africa.
  • The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cabo Verde.
  • The WHO confirmed the outbreak on Sunday.
  • Hantavirus is usually transmitted from rodents to humans.
  • South Africa's health ministry reported a severe acute respiratory illness outbreak.

Entities

Institutions

  • World Health Organization
  • Agence France-Presse
  • South Africa's health ministry

Locations

  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Ushuaia
  • Argentina
  • Cabo Verde
  • South Africa
  • Johannesburg

Sources