A serious outbreak of a respiratory infection has broken out on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, which has already claimed the lives of three people. This was reported by Yle, according to UNN.
Details
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is part of the UN system, six people on board the vessel are infected.
One of the infected, a 69-year-old British citizen, was taken to an intensive care unit in Johannesburg (South Africa). He was diagnosed with a hantavirus infection.
The first to fall ill was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board the ship. His body was transported to the British territory of Saint Helena. His 69-year-old wife fell ill next; she was transported from the liner to a hospital in Johannesburg, where she died.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the citizenship of the deceased.
According to an AFP source, a Dutch couple could be among them. The source also reports that even before the WHO statement, there was talk of three deaths, rather than two as previously reported by South African health authorities.
According to an anonymous source, the possibility of isolating two infected passengers in a hospital in Cape Verde was also discussed on board.
The WHO says it is informed of the situation.
The outbreak occurred on the vessel MV Hondius, built for sailing in Arctic conditions and registered under the Dutch flag. It accommodates up to 170 passengers.
The vessel's operator is the Dutch travel company Oceanwide Expeditions, which offers cruises on this liner. The ship is currently en route from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.
The WHO stated that the infection cases are being investigated and international cooperation is ongoing.
For reference
Hantaviruses are primarily carried by rodents and can be transmitted to humans. Infection occurs through the urine, saliva, or feces of rodents. They can cause severe damage to the kidneys or the respiratory system, including hemorrhagic fever.