The World Health Organization said that three people on board a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean have died, confirming that one of them was infected with the “Hantavirus” virus, an acute respiratory disease belonging to the family of viruses that causes hemorrhagic fevers, and is spread by rodents, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Published on: 04/05/2026 - 07:30Last updated: 06/05/2026 - 16:34

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Three people died on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, and one of them was confirmed to be infected with the Hanta virus, according to what the World Health Organization announced on Sunday.

The organization confirmed that "so far, one case of infection with the Hanta virus has been confirmed in the laboratory, indicating that there are five other suspected cases." She added: "Of the six infected people, three died, while the sixth infected person is currently in intensive care in South Africa."

For its part, the South African Ministry of Health reported earlier on Sunday that two people had died following an outbreak of an “acute respiratory disease” on a cruise ship, and a third person was transferred to intensive care in a hospital in Johannesburg.

Also, cases of infection were recorded on board the ship "MV Hondius", which left Ushuaia in Argentina, heading to the Republic of Cape Verde.

Ministry spokesman Foster Mohale explained that the examination results of the patient receiving treatment in Johannesburg confirmed that he was infected with the Hanta virus, which is a family of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Hanta virus is spread by rodents, especially through contact with their urine, feces, and saliva.

The first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died on board the ship, and his body is currently on the island of St. Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, according to Mohali.

The spokesman added that the deceased's 69-year-old wife also suffered symptoms on board the ship, and was transported to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, noting that the authorities have not yet been able to determine the nationalities of the two victims.

The third case concerns a 69-year-old Briton who was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he is receiving treatment in intensive care.

France 24/AFP

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