The victims were passengers of the MV Hondius
The Foreign Office has issued a statement following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that has left three people dead.
The victims were passengers of the MV Hondius which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Reports state that another person, who is a British national, is currently in intensive care.
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A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed.
“We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.”
Hantavirus typically comes about following contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents.
In some cases, the virus can spread between people and lead to a dangerous respiratory illness.
South African authorities report the first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board. His body has since been transferred to the island of Saint Helena.
His 69-year-old wife also became ill during the voyage and was evacuated to South Africa, where she later died in a Johannesburg hospital. A 69-year-old British man was also evacuated to Johannesburg and is currently receiving treatment in intensive care.
The WHO said it is assisting with coordination between member states and the ship’s operator, including the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, a full public health risk assessment, and support for those still on board.
Their full statement reads: “WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases.
“Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.
“Hantavirus infections are typically linked to environmental exposure (exposure to infected rodents’ urine or faeces). While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response.
“WHO is facilitating coordination between member states and the ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board.
“WHO is grateful for the rapid actions and coordination amongst all involved.”
Hantavirus was in the news after the late actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus infection in New Mexico last year. Hackman died a week later at their home.
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