Two cases of hantavirus have been confirmed after three people died following a suspected outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
The vessel, MV Hondius, is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. The company said a Dutch couple and a German national died onboard.
Hantavirus has been confirmed in a 69-year-old UK national, who is in intensive care in South Africa. The virus was also identified in the Dutch woman who died. The causes of the other deaths are under investigation.
Hantavirus is usually spread by rodents through their faeces, saliva or urine. It can cause severe respiratory illness but rarely spreads between people.
A British crew member is among five suspected cases being investigated by the World Health Organization.
The ship, carrying 149 people from 23 countries, is currently off Cape Verde. Oceanwide Expeditions said: “The atmosphere on board MV Hondius remains calm, with passengers generally composed.”
Two crew members, one British and one Dutch have acute respiratory symptoms and need urgent medical care. Plans are in place to evacuate them using specialised aircraft.
South Africa’s health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, said of the British patient: “He’s being taken care of. As you know, hantavirus, like all viruses, don’t have any specific treatment, so they are giving symptomatic treatment and support as much as they could.”
Health officials are tracing contacts, while authorities consider moving passengers to the Canary Islands for further checks.
The WHO said it is supporting the response and added: “hantavirus infections are uncommon”.
“While severe in some cases, it is not easily transmitted between people. The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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