Three cruise ship passengers have reportedly died during a voyage along the coast of Africa, as authorities investigate a suspected disease outbreak onboard.
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The incident involves the MV Hondius, where officials believe a "suspected hantavirus outbreak" may have spread among passengers.
Reports indicate that at least three others have fallen ill, with one person said to be in critical condition.
Cruise Ship Passengers Die Amid Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak
The World Health Organization and South Africa's health department confirmed the situation on Sunday, stating that at least one case of hantavirus has been identified.
"One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the UN's health agency said in a statement to the Associated Press, and the WHO was working with authorities to evacuate two others with symptoms from the ship," The Guardian's Matty Edwards wrote.
Two of the victims were an elderly Dutch couple, aged 70 and 69.
The husband fell ill onboard and later died on Saint Helena. His wife died shortly after at a hospital in Kempton Park, South Africa.
The ship had been travelling between Argentina and Cape Verde when the outbreak was first reported.
Health Concerns Grow as Additional Cases Emerge Onboard
A 69-year-old British man also became ill during the journey and has since been transferred to a private medical facility in Johannesburg.
According to South Africa's health ministry, he has tested positive for the virus.
"Hantavirus is usually caught through contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents," Edwards added.
"Hantaviruses cause two serious syndromes, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe disease that effects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a severe disease that affects the kidneys."
There is currently no specific cure for hantavirus, though early medical treatment can improve survival chances.
On Sunday, Dutch tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that two crew members required "urgent medical care."
A third fatality is believed to still be onboard the ship.
Dutch authorities have launched a joint effort to repatriate the two symptomatic passengers, along with the body of the deceased.
The MV Hondius has a capacity for up to 170 passengers and 70 crew members.
